FLUSHING, N.Y. – Hosting their first home doubleheader of the year, the Queens College softball team welcomed the Caldwell University Cougars for a non-conference twinbill Thursday afternoon at the QC Softball Field.
In game one, the Knights recorded 12 hits, the fourth time this season reaching double figures, but stranded 13 runners on base in a 9-1 loss. In the nightcap, Queens rallied to take a late 6-3 lead before defensive miscues allowed Caldwell to come back for an 8-6 win to complete the sweep.
Game One Recap – Queens 1, Caldwell 9
Queens totaled 12 hits, highlighted by four multi-hit performances. Junior
Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA.) went 3-for-4 with an RBI, recording her second multi-hit game of the season and a season-high in hits. Junior center fielder
Sienna Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) finished 2-for-3 for her second multi-hit effort of the year, while junior third baseman
Kadie Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, notching her sixth multi-hit game of the season. Rookie second baseman
Kayla Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) added a 2-for-4 performance for her second career multi-hit game.
The trio of junior
Olivia Wanser (Westbury, N.Y.), rookie catcher
Carla Chiaramonte (Middle Village, N.Y.), and junior first baseman
Jazelle Rivera (Fort Myers, FL) each added a hit for the Knights.
Caldwell opened the scoring in the second inning, using two hits and two Queens errors to take a 1-0 lead. The Knights threatened in the bottom half by loading the bases but were unable to push across a run.
Queens tied the game in the third after Cain doubled, Wanser walked, and Chiaramonte singled to load the bases before Campbell delivered an RBI single. A double play ended the inning and limited the damage.
The Cougars regained the lead in the fourth and capitalized on additional Queens miscues, adding insurance runs in the sixth and seventh to secure the 9-1 victory as the Knights continued to leave runners stranded.
Game Two Recap – Queens 6, Caldwell 8
The Knights were held to four hits in the nightcap but received a standout performance from Wanser, who went 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. Senior shortstop
Allie Parascandola (East Quogue, N.Y.) added the other hit, finishing 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Caldwell took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a sacrifice fly, but Queens tied the game in the third when sophomore right fielder
Brigid Hood (Wantagh, N.Y.) scored on a wild pitch.
After the Cougars went back in front in the fourth, Wanser answered with her first home run of the season, tying the game at 2-2.
Caldwell regained a 3-2 lead in the fifth, but Queens responded in the bottom half when Parascandola singled and later scored on Wanser's second home run of the game, giving the Knights a 4-3 advantage. The multi-home run game marked the first by a Knight since the 2019 season.
Queens added to the lead in the sixth. Senior left fielder
Brianna Call (Fishkill, N.Y.) walked, moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, and came home on a Caldwell error to make it 5-3. Wanser followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-3, putting the Knights three outs away from splitting the doubleheader.
Caldwell rallied in the seventh, recording three hits and taking advantage of two Queens errors to score five runs and reclaim the lead, 8-6. The Knights threatened in the bottom of the inning but were unable to capitalize, stranding 11 runners in the game as the Cougars completed the sweep.
Next Pitch
The Knights continue non-conference play at home on Tuesday, March 24, when Queens welcomes the Thomas Jefferson University Rams. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
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