PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Behind six RBIs on the day from Willa Poplawski, the Pace University softball team swept Bentley University at home taking game one, 5-0, and game two, 9-4. The Setters improve to 22-10 overall, and 10-4 within the Northeast-10.
Game One
Raelle Gorman and Poplawski got the offense going early with two runs in the first inning to give Pace the lead, 2-0. Then an Aubry Carroll single in the third inning extended Pace's lead to three runs over Bentley.
Later in the fifth, Kaylee Matsuda added some cushion with a two-RBI single up the middle to increase the Setters lead to, 5-0. In the circle, Gisselle Garcia closed the door on Bentley in the final two innings to secure the 5-0 victory.
Garcia pitched a complete game shutout allowing three hits while tallying 12 strikeouts. Poplawski, Gorman, and Alexa Borino lead the way with two hits apiece.
Game Two
In the second game of the doubleheader, The Pace offense kickstarted with a three-run first inning. Poplawski accounted for all three runs with a base-clearing triple that soared over the center fielder's reach to give Pace the lead, 3-0.
After the next three innings remained scoreless, Bentley rallied to score three runs in the fifth to snatch the lead from Pace, 4-3. However, the lead would not hold for long as Poplawski struck again the next inning with a single through the left side to drive home another run. Garcia followed Poplawski with a double down the left-field line to score two more runs. Jenny Gordon finished the two-out rally with a double to right field to extend Pace's lead to 7-4.
The Setters cruised the rest of the way with Lauren Belles on the mound as she tossed 2.1 innings of scoreless relief allowing just three hits. Poplawski had a career day at the plate going 3-for-3 with 5 RBIs in game two, and 2-for-2 with 1 RBI in game one. The sophomore could not be denied in the batter's box as she reached safely in all her at-bats for the doubleheader.
Up Next
The Blue and Gold travel to Staten Island, N.Y. Wednesday afternoon for a doubleheader match-up against the College Staten Island. The first pitch of game one is set for 2:00 p.m.
