FLUSHING, N.Y. – Returning to East Coast Conference play to conclude the week's play the Queens College softball team welcomed the College of Staten Island Dolphins to QC Softball Field for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader.
The runs would be hard to come with the offense limited to four hits as Queens dropped game one to the score of 8-0. In the nightcap the offense erupted for a season-best 18 hits as the Knights trailing 5-1 rallied scoring 12 runs over four innings to earn a 13-7 game two victory and move to 2-2 in ECC play.
GAME ONE RECAP
Four Knights in sophomore utility
Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA.) (1-2 AB), senior third baseman
Emma Zumpol (Patchogue, N.Y.) (1-2 AB, 2B), junior first baseman
Allie Parascandola (East Quoque, N.Y.) (1-2 AB, 2B) and senior catcher
Riley O'Connor (Maspeth, N.Y.) (1-2 AB) combined for four hits.
The Dolphins would use a big top of the second inning scoring seven runs before adding in a run in the third to run-rule Queens to the final score of 8-0.
GAME TWO RECAP
In game two the offense erupted for a season-best 18 hits as six Knights combined for 11 RBI led by senior center fielder
Amanda Baez (Selden, N.Y.) (2-2 AB, 3RBI, R, BB), sophomore shortstop
Kadie Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) (3-4 AB, 2B, 2RBI, R), Zumpol
(2-4 AB, 2B, 2RBI, 2R),
rookie second baseman
Mia Pineiro (North Babylon, N.Y.) (2-3 AB, 2RBI), Campbell
(2-4 AB, RBI, BB), and senior right fielder
Caroline Pescatore (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-4 AB, RBI, R) as they combined for 12 hits, 11 RBI and five runs scored.
While the trio of Parascandola
(3-4 AB, 3R), O'Connor
(2-2 AB, 2R), and sophomore left fielder
Sienna Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, 3R, 2BB) combined for six hits, and eight runs scored.
For the second straight game, the Dolphins opened the scoring as they took a 2-0 lead after the top of the first. The Knights wasted no time in getting a run back as Denino reached first base on a bunt single before Campbell earned a walk and Zumpol got hit by pitch. Baez would get hit by pitch to walk in Denino before the Dolphins were able to avoid any further damage.
After a scoreless frame for both sides in the second inning, the Dolphins would take a 5-1 lead using a three-run shot over left field.
But the Knights would start a comeback rally as Denino battled for an eight-pitch walk before a Campbell single advanced Denino to second. A RBI double from Zumpol would start the scoring as Denino scored but the Dolphins would get the first out as Campbell was caught short at home.
The Knights would continue the hitting parade as a Baez RBI single up the middle scored Zumpol before a Cain double to center field had two Knights in scoring position.
A RBI single from Pescatore to center field would score Baez and advance Cain to third as the Knights got within one, 5-4.
Queens would tie the game at 5-5 as Cain scored on a wild pitch before Parascandola recorded the sixth straight hit to move Pescatore to third base.
With runners on the corner, Queens would execute a double steal as Parascandola stole second and Pescatore stole home to put Queens up 6-5 and their first lead of the doubleheader.
Pineiro would put the Knights up 7-5 with a RBI single to right field as Parascandola scored.
Leading 7-5, the Dolphins offense responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 7-7 before the Knights brought Campbell
(W, 5-6, 3H, 2BB, K) to pitch for the second time on the day.
The sophomore would get the final out of the inning to leave two Dolphins stranded on base and keep the game tied at 7-7.
CSI would keep two runners stranded in the home frame of the fifth and keep the game tied at 7-7.
In the top of fifth Campbell would retire the first two batters before a walk extended the inning but the sophomore would avoid further trouble as she induced a swing and miss for the third out of the inning.
Looking to keep the momentum going Parascandola opened the frame with a single to left field before O'Connor singled to second base Queens had two runners on and no outs.
Pineiro would execute a successful sac bunt to advance both runners into scoring position before Denino earned her second walk of the game.
As the Dolphins got the second out of the inning, Zumpol delivered with a RBI single to center field scoring Parascandola before Baez drew a walk and walked in O'Connor as the Knights extended their advantage to 9-7.
Cain would waste no time looking at any pitches as she laced a two-RBI single up the middle scoring Denino and Zumpol as the Knights took a commanding lead of 11-7 after five complete innings of play.
Campbell opened the top of the sixth retiring the first batter before the Dolphins put a runner on base with a single down the right field line. But Parascandola would flash her leather as she caught a line drive to execute a double play and get out of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth Queens would add two more runs as Pineiro and Campbell drove in Parascandola and O'Connor as the Knights took a commanding lead of 13-7.
Down to their final three outs, the Dolphins would look to rally. Campbell opened the seventh getting the first out with a grounder to Pineiro at second base before a walk and a single put two runners on. As the sophomore induced a fly out to Baez in center field for the second out, the second single of the inning would load the bases. But Campbell and her defense would ensure there would be no comeback rally as she induced a pop-up to Pineiro for the final out of the inning and earned their second ECC victory of the year.
NEXT PITCH
Queens take a break from conference play on Monday, Mar. 31 as they travel to Caldwell, N.J. for a non-conference doubleheader against Caldwell University Cougars. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
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