PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Behind Gisselle Garcia and Anna Acevedo's stellar outings, the Pace University softball team swept Molloy University taking game one, 2-0 and game two, 3-0. Following Wednesday's doubleheader, the Setters improve to 30-11 overall.
Game One
Garcia's eleventh complete game shutout of the season lifted Pace to their 29th victory of the year. The junior began her outing by striking out the first three batters of the contest.
After both sides remained scoreless through three innings, Pace kick started their offense in the bottom of the fourth. After the opening batters were retired back-to-back, Riley Jenkins knocked a double down the line to begin Pace's two-out rally.
Willa Poplawski followed up the double with an infield single to put runners on the corner. The Setters then took advantage of an overthrown ball from Molloy's catcher to bring home the first run of the game.
After Garcia's quick 1-2-3 inning in the top half of the fifth, the Setters got back to work in the bottom of the inning. Carolina Iturriaga led off with a single to give the Blue and Gold another chance to strike at the plate. Later in the inning, Kaylee Matsuda lined a single through the middle to increase Pace's lead to 2-0.
With a two-run lead, Garcia dominated the rest of the way as Pace won game one, 2-0. For the Lemon Grove, CA native, it marks her 17th win of 2024 as she continues to amaze in the circle. Garcia went seven innings allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out nine total. At the dish for Pace, Matsuda (2-for-3, 1 RBI) Jenkins (1-for-3, 1 run) and Poplawski (1-for-3) lead the way.
Game Two
In the second game of the doubleheader, Anna Acevedo took the circle for Pace and tossed one of her best outings of the year. The senior cruised through the first two innings before Pace's bats scored the first runs of the game in the bottom of the second.
After back-to-back RBI singles from Sophie Valle and Matsuda to Setters jumped ahead to an early 2-0 lead over Molloy. Following the two-run inning, both sides went quiet offensively until Pace struck again in the sixth.
Valle added to her RBI total with a single down the left-field line to increase Pace's advantage to 3-0 before the final inning. In the top half of the seventh, Acevedo shut the door on the Lions to secure the Setters 30th victory of the season. Acevedo pitched a complete game shutout surrendering three hits to the opposition to earn her eighth win of the season.
Between Acevedo and Garcia, the Setters allowed no runs and only four hits in the doubleheader. The pitching duo has displayed their talent this year combining for 25 wins and a 1.53 earned run average.
In game two, Valle led the way in the batter's box with a 2-for-3 performance driving in two RBIs. Brianna Shea posted a 2-for-3 day with two runs scored while Matsuda added one hit and one RBI from the lead off spot.
Up Next
The Setters travel to Manchester, NH Friday afternoon for their next match-up against Saint Anselm. The first pitch of the Friday doubleheader is set for 2:30 p.m.
