PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – On Saturday, Pace University Softball dropped a Northeast 10 Conference doubleheader against Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), falling 3–1 in game one before dropping a 12–0 (5 innings) decision in game two. The Blue and Gold battled through a tight opener before SNHU pulled away in the second contest, moving to 11–7 overall and 4–2 in the Northeast 10 Conference.
Game One
Softball found itself in a pitcher's duel early, with both teams held scoreless through the first three innings. The Blue and Gold broke through in the fourth when
Kara King delivered a double and later came around to score on an error, giving Pace a 1–0 lead.
The Setters continued to rely on strong pitching and defense, as
Alyssa Smart kept SNHU off the board through six innings while working efficiently in the circle. Pace carried the one-run advantage into the seventh inning, needing just three outs to secure the win.
Southern New Hampshire responded in the final frame, capitalizing on a pair of hits and a Pace error to plate three runs and take a 3–1 lead. The Blue and Gold put two runners on in the bottom of the inning but were unable to complete the comeback as SNHU held on for the win.
King led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance including a double and a run scored, while the rest of the lineup was limited to just one additional hit. In the circle, Smart went the distance, allowing three runs (all unearned) on six hits while striking out seven.
Game Two (5 innings)
The second game remained scoreless through the first three innings before SNHU broke through in the fourth inning with a three-run home run to take a 3–0 lead.
Southern New Hampshire added to its advantage in the fifth inning, capitalizing on multiple hits and free passes to erupt for nine runs and extend the lead to 12–0.
Softball threatened in the bottom half of the fifth, loading the bases with two outs behind hits from
Faith Scally,
Katerina Luna, and
Riley Jenkins, but were unable to push a run across as the game ended in a five-inning decision.
Jenkins led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, while Picerno added two hits and Luna, King, and Scally each contributed a hit as Pace totaled seven in the game.
Softball continues NE10 play this weekend with a doubleheader at home against Southern New Hampshire University, with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
