SPARKILL, N.Y. – Looking to conclude their regular schedule on a positive note heading into the East Coast Conference softball tournament, the Queens College softball team
(7-13 ECC) matched up against the Spartans of Saint Thomas Aquinas College
(15-5 ECC) in Sparkill for an ECC doubleheader Monday afternoon.
It would be two tough losses for the Knights as in game one the offense outhit the Spartans 6-5 led by sophomore
Caroline Pescatore (North Babylon, N.Y.) (2-4 AB) multi-hit performance, while four Knights in sophomore
Amanda Baez (Selden, N.Y.) (1-2 AB, BB), junior
Jenny Murphy (East Islip, N.Y.) (1-3 AB), sophomore
Emma Zumpol (Patchogue, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, 2B) and freshman
Brianna Call (Fishkill, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, 2B, R) combined for four hits but the visitors would fall 3-1 in the first game.
In game two, the offense tallied seven hits led by junior
Dyana Budakowski (Washingtonville, N.Y.) (2-4 AB, R) recorded a multi-hit game as five other Knights in
Cyarra Alvarado (Coral Springs, FL) (1-4 AB, 2RBI, R), senior
Myaisha Kelly (Albany, N.Y.) (1-3 AB), junior
Riley O'Connor (Maspeth, N.Y.) (1-2 AB, BB), sophomore
Jillian Cosme (Franklin Square, N.Y.) (1-3 AB) and freshman
Allie Parascandola (East Quogue, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, R) combined for a hit each with Alvarado recording two RBI in a 4-3 loss.
It would be a pitcher's duel in game one as both starting pitchers combined to keep the game scoreless until the Spartans took advantage of a fielding error in the bottom of the fourth to tally a two-run over left field for a 2-0 run lead.
But the Knights would quickly cut their deficit in half in the top of the fifth inning. Call tallied a double to center field to open the inning before Budakowski advanced Call to third base on a sac bunt as the Knights had a runner in scoring position.
Next batter Zumpol would reach first base on a fielders choice but a fielding error would allow Call to score from third base as the Knights cut the deficit down to 2-1.
With still only one out, Pescatore recorded her first hit of the afternoon with a single to left field as Zumpol advanced to second base.
But the Spartans would prevent any further runs as they got the final two outs to leave both runners stranded on base.
As the Knights defense worked out of a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth to keep their deficit at 2-1, Baez opened the top of the sixth with a single to center field before second base.
But the Spartans would keep Baez stranded at second base as they recorded three straight out to keep their 2-1 lead intact.
The Spartans' second long ball of the game would give the home side a 3-1 lead before preventing a two-out single from the Knights in the top of the seventh to earn the victory over the Knights.
While in game two, the game would be scoreless until the top of the third inning as the Knights opened the scoring.
Parascandola and Budakowski opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Alvarado delivered with a two-RBI single to right field but the Coral Spring native would round the bases taking advantage of a fielding error by the Spartans right fielder as the Knights took a 3-0 lead.
As the Spartans got the first out of the inning, Baez earned a walk before Kelly singled up the middle to give the Knights two more base runners to keep the inning going.
But the home side would keep both base runners at bay as they avoided further damage in the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, STAC would cut the Knights deficit down to 3-2 using three hits.
Having their lead cut down to 3-2 heading into the top of the sixth, the Spartans would get the first two outs before O'Connor earned a walk and a single from Cosme gave the Knights two base runners.
But the Spartans would prevent the two-out rally as they got the last out before they used their third long ball of the doubleheader to defeat the Knights to the final score of 4-3.
Earlier in the day, the East Coast Conference office announced the final and Week Nine of the Softball Report Sheet, and Queens College softball sophomores Zumpol and Baez were awarded a Honor Roll spot for their performances for games played from Apr. 24 to Apr. 30.
Emma Zumpol (Patchogue, N.Y.) | Sophomore | Infielder | Honor Roll
Zumpol earned her first weekly award of the year as she found a spot on the Honor Roll Sheet.
Zumpol recorded four hits, three RBI, earning two walks and one run scored. The sophomore went 1-1 AB with a RBI and two walks as the Knights defeated Molloy 3-2 on senior day.
Amanda Baez (Selden, N.Y.) | Sophomore | Outfielder | Honor Roll
Baez earns her second Honor Roll award of the year and the first since Mar. 13 joining graduate student
Allyson Dilday (Castle Rock, CO.) and senior
Ann Grimshaw (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) to earn multiple Honor Roll awards this season.
Last week in three games played Baez batted .556 with five hits, two doubles, one run scored, and earned one walk. The sophomore recorded two multi-hit games on the week, totaling seven total bases with two extra-base hits.
Next Pitch: With the regular concluded, head coach
Amy Delmore and the Knights now shift their attention to postseason play on Wednesday (May 3) afternoon as they match up against #1 seed Molloy University Lions in Rockville Center. First pitch set for 3:00 p.m.
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