SPARKILL, N.Y.- Continuing East Coast Conference play Sunday afternoon, the Queens College softball team matched up against two-time defending champions St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartans at Spartan Field.
 
In game one, the Knights recorded four hits with sophomore utility Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA.) (2-2 AB) recording a multi-hit game, while the duo of rookie second baseman Mia Pineiro (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-2 AB) and sophomore left fielder Sienna Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-1 AB) combined for two hits.
 
In the second game the offense erupted for 10 hits with senior third baseman Emma Zumpol (Patchogue, N.Y.) (2-4 AB, 3B, 2RBI, R), senior center fielder Amanda Baez (Selden, N.Y.) (2-4 AB, RBI), and sophomore shortstop Kadie Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) (2-4 AB) and Denino (2-3 AB, R) combining for eight hits, three RBI and two runs scored. While the duo of junior first baseman Allie Parascandola (East Quoque, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, R) and senior catcher Riley O'Connor (Maspeth, N.Y.) (1-4 AB) combined for two hits and one run scored.

GAME ONE RECAP

With one out, in the top of the first Campbell would reach base on an infield single but the Spartans would strand the sophomore at first base by retiring the next two batters.
 
The Spartans would take a 5-0 lead after the first inning of play using four walks, two hits, and one error. The home side would another run in the second frame to take a 6-0 lead.
 
In the top of the fourth inning, Campbell led off the inning notching a single up the middle before the Spartans got the first out. Next batter Baez would reach base safely as Queens had two runners on and only one out as the Knights looked to cut into their deficit. But the Spartans would avoid trouble as they were able to retire the next two batters to end the top of the fourth.
 
STAC would score two more runs in the home frame of the fifth to earn an 8-0 victory over the Knights.

GAME TWO RECAP

Queens went on the offensive right way in the nightcap as Parascandola opened the inning with a single to center field. But as the Spartans got the first out, Zumpol would put Queens up 1-0 with a RBI triple to left field before a RBI single to right field from Baez extended the visitors lead to 2-0.
 
But the Knights would leave the bases loaded as the Spartans avoided further trouble. STAC would cut Queens' lead down to 2-1 with a double to left center.
 
In the top of the second frame, Denino opened the inning with a single before scoring on a two-out RBI single from Zumpol to left field as Queens took a 3-1 lead.
 
The home side responded with three hits to take a 5-3 lead after the completion of the second inning.
 
In the top of the third Cain and O'Connor recorded back-to-back singles as Queens looked to cut into their deficit but the Spartans would retire the next three batters to end the frame.
 
As the Spartans added two insurance runs in the home frame of the fifth to take a 7-3 lead, it would be missed opportunities for the Knights as they left a combined 10 runners stranded to fall in game two to the final score of 7-3.

NEXT PITCH

The Knights return to QC Softball Field for a Tuesday (Apr. 8) afternoon doubleheader as they conclude their four-game ECC series against Molloy University Lions. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.

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