FLUSHING, N.Y. – The Queens College softball team opened their eight-game week in Caldwell, N.J. as they matched up against Caldwell University Cougars at Caldwell Athletics Field in a non-conference doubleheader.
It would be tough going in game one as Queens cut a 6-0 deficit down to 6-2 before a fielding error saw the home side break the game open to defeat the Knights to the final score of 13-2. In the second game, the Knights took an early lead of 1-0 lead before the Cougars scored seven runs and held the offense at bay to complete the sweep to the final score of 7-2.
GAME ONE RECAP
Sophomore shortstop
Kadie Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) (1-2 AB, 2B, 2RBI) was the lone Knight to record a hit while the duo of senior center fielder
Amanda Baez (Selden, N.Y.) and junior first baseman
Allie Parascandola (East Quoque, N.Y.) scored two runs.
Queens fell behind 6-0 after the first two innings of play. In the top of the fourth Parascandola reached base on a hit by pitch before she stole second base. As Baez reached base on a fielding error, Cain would tally a two-RBI double out to right center as the Knights cut their deficit down to 6-2 after the top of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, with two outs and two runners on, a fielder error would allow the Cougars to take advantage as they scored seven runs before completing the run-rule victory in the top of the fifth inning.
GAME TWO RECAP
In the nightcap four Knights combined for five hits with sophomore utility
Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA.) (2-4 AB, 2B) recording her fifth multi-hit game of the year. While the trio of sophomore left fielder
Sienna Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-4 AB), sophomore catcher
Shona Willoughby (Benalto, Alberta) (1-2 AB, RBI, R, BB), and rookie second baseman
Mia Pineiro (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-3 AB) combined for three hits, one RBI and one run scored.
As both sides left a runner on base in the first inning of play, Queens would open the scoring as Cain earned a walk before Caldwell got back-to-back outs. With Cain on second, Willoughby would put the Knights up 1-0 with a RBI single to center field to score Cain. Pineiro would extend the inning with a single down the right field line but the home side would both runners stranded on base to end any further scoring threat.
With Cougars retired in order in the second inning, with one out, Campbel would belt a double to left field as Queens looked to add more runs. But the Cougars would retire the next two batters in a row and keep the Knights scoreline at 1-0.
The Cougars would take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third using a two-out rally on three hits before adding on two more runs in the fourth frame.
Trailing 4-1, with two outs, Parascandola would get hit by pitch before Campbell recorded her second hit of the afternoon as Queens looked to cut into their deficit. But once again the home side would avoid further damage to get the final out of the inning.
As Caldwell added three more runs in the fifth frame to extend their lead to 7-1, the Knights would be retired in order in the sixth before they attempted a comeback rally in the final frame of the game.
As Willoughby earned a walk, Pineiro would reach first base on a fielding error before a single to left field from Denino loaded the bases for the Knights. With no outs, a RBI sac fly from Parascandola would get Queens within five, 7-2, however, the Cougars would hold the offense to get the final two outs of the game and complete the sweep.
NEXT PITCH
The Knights head to Rockville Centre, N.Y. for an East Coast Conference doubleheader Tuesday, Apr. 1 as they match up against Molloy University Lions. The first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.
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