DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Looking to conclude their week on a strong note and earn their first East Coast Conference series of the year, the Queens College softball teams traveled to Dobbs Ferry for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against the Mavericks of Mercy University at Smith Field.
In game one the offense erupted for 13 hits led by four multi-hit performances with junior third baseman
Emma Zumpol (Patchogue, N.Y.) (3-5 AB, RBI, 2R) recording her third three-hit performance of the year, while the trio of senior first basemen
Jenny Murphy (East Islip, N.Y.) (2-4 AB, RBI, R), senior second baseman
Alyssa Wilkinson (Bayside, N.Y.) (2-3 AB, 2R), and sophomore shortstop
Allie Parascandola (East Quogue, N.Y.) (2-4 AB, 2R) all recorded two hits performances with all four Knights combining for nine hits, two RBI, and seven runs scored.
While freshman utility
Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA) (1-2 AB, HR, 2RBI, 3BB, 2R), senior
Arianna Fracchioni (Westbury, N.Y.) (1-4 AB, RBI), senior catcher
Kristina Verruso (Whitestone, N.Y) (1-4 AB, HR, 2RBI, R), junior center fielder
Amanda Baez (Selden, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, RBI, R, BB), and junior right-fielder
Caroline Pescatore (North Babylon, N.Y.) (2RBI, R) combined for four hits, eight RBI, and five runs scored.
In the circle, Campbell
(W, 8-5 7.0 IP, 10H, 5R, 4ER, BB, 4K) would hold the Mavericks to 10 hits, five runs scored, and four earned runs to go with four strikeouts as the rookie earned her team-leading eighth victory of the year as Queens earned a game one victory to the final score of 12-5.
While in the nightcap, the offense would be held to six hits as freshman
Sienna Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, R, BB), Murphy
(1-4 AB, RBI, R), Campbell
(1-1 AB, 2B, RBI, 3BB, 2R), Fracchioni
(1-3 AB, RBI), Verruso
(1-2 AB, 2B, RBI, BB), Parascandola
(1-3 AB, R), and Wilkinson
(RBI, 2BB) combined for six hits, five RBI, and five runs scored.
In the Circle, Fracchioni
(L, 3-5 6.0 IP, 12H, 6ER, 3BB, K) would be tagged with the game two loss as the comeback rally fell short to the final score of 6-5.
With the DH split, the Knights improved to 11-16 overall, and 5-3 in ECC play as Queens earned their first ECC series of the year. Saturday's DH split also gave Queens their first ECC series victory over the Mavericks since the 2016 season.
Game One Recap (QUEENS 12, MERCY 5)
Zumpol began game one with a single to right center before a sac bunt from Pescatore successfully advanced the junior to second base. But as the Mavericks got the second out, Campbell wasted no time looking at any pitches as the freshman belted a two-run blast to left field for the early 2-0 lead.
But the Mavericks would waste little time in tying the game as they recorded three hits for two runs in the home half of the first inning.
Queens would quickly regain the lead as Verruso starring at a 0-2 count belted her second home run of the year over the center field fence to put the visitors up 3-2. The Knight would load the bases with three straight singles from Baez, Wilkinson, and Parascandola. With the bases juiced Baez would score from third behind a fielder's choice before back-to-back RBI sac flies from Pescatore and Murphy put the Knights up 6-2.
Campbell would quickly retire the first two batters in the home half of the second but behind a throwing error, the Mavericks would load the bases as they recorded two straight singles. However, the rookie would avoid any damage as she induced the sixth batter of the inning to ground out to Zumpol for the third out.
In the bottom of the third, a solo shot from the Mavericks would cut the Knights lead down to 6-3 before a wild pitch scored the fourth run of the game for the home side.
With their lead shrunk down to two, 6-4, Queens would add three runs in the top of the fourth inning. As Zumpol recorded her second hit of the afternoon Pescatore would reach on a fielder's choice as the Mavericks got Zumpol out at second base. Next batter Murphy would tally a single to right field as Pescatore advanced to third base before Campbell recorded a walk to load the bases.
With the bases loaded, Fracchioni extended Queens' lead to 7-4 with a RBI single to right center before Verruso reached safely at first allowing Murphy to score as the Knights went up 8-4. Baez would draw a RBI walk as Queens took a 9-4 lead before the Mavericks were able to get out of the inning.
Despite the Mavericks putting runners on base over the next three innings of play, Campbell and her defense would continue to keep the home side off the scoreboard.
The Knights would put the game away in the top of the seventh inning with three more runs as they took a commanding lead of 12-4.
Leading 12-4, Campbell began the final inning of the game by retiring the first batter to ground out straight back to her before a solo shot cut the lead down to 12-5. But the rookie would retire the next two batters in a row as Queens earned their fifth ECC victory of the year and earned the series victory.
Game Two Recap (QUEENS 5, MERCY 6)
Looking to complete the series sweep, with one out, rookie Denino would collect her first collegiate hit with a single down the right field line, but the Mavericks would get the second out to bring up Campbell. However, the Mavericks would keep Queens off the scoreboard as Denino was caught short stealing second base to end the top of the first inning.
The Mavericks would open the scoring in the home half of the first using a single and a sac fly to take an early lead of 1-0 after the completion of the first inning of play.
Queens would earn two walks in the top of the second but Mercy would keep both runners stranded on base to keep their 1-0 lead intact.
The Mavericks would send 10 batters to the plate in the home half of the second as they took a commanding lead of 5-0.
Parascandola opened the third with a single through the left side but the Maverick would retire the next three batters in a row to keep Queens off the scoreboard.
As Fracchioni continued to keep the deficit at 5-0, the Knights would attempt a rally in the top of the fifth inning of play. Parascandola reached first base on a fielding error before the Mavericks got the first out but not before Parascandola advanced to second base.
As a passed ball allowed Parascandola to take third base, Denino would earn a walk before Murphy opened the scoring for Queens with a RBI single through the left side scoring the sophomore. As a throwing error saw Denino take third base, a RBI double to left field from Campbell would score Denino as the Knights cut their deficit down to 5-2.
A RBI sac fly from Fracchioni would help Queens score their third run of the game before a RBI double from Verruso to center field scored Campbell as the Knights got within one run, 5-4.
Wilkinson and Baez would draw back-to-back walks as Queens loaded the bases, but with two outs, the Mavericks would get the final out of the inning to keep their lead intact.
A solo shot to right-center would give the Mavericks an insurance run as they took a 6-4 lead.
Trailing 6-4 and down to their last three outs, Campbell earned her third walk of the game before a single from Fracchioni advanced Campbell to second base.
With the tying run on first base and still no outs, the Mavericks would get the first out as Verruso flew out to center field, but with enough room Campbell would advance to third base. As Wilkinson reached on a fielder's choice, Campbell would score from third base but a fielding error would keep both runners safe as the Knights now had the tying run at second base and go head run at first base. But the Mavericks would earn the Saturday afternoon DH split as they held on for a 6-5 victory to end the game on a double play.
Next Pitch
The Knights continue ECC play with a trip to Sparkill on Monday (Apr. 15) afternoon doubleheader against the defending ECC champions Spartans of St. Thomas Aquinas College. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.
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