FLUSHING, N.Y. – Continuing their homestand, the Queens College softball team welcomed defending East Coast Conference regular season champion St. Thomas Aquinas College to QC Softball Field for a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader.
The Knights' offense totaled 17 hits with one double, three home runs, and scored nine runs on the day, highlighted by a dominant performance from junior
Olivia Wanser (Westbury, N.Y.). Wanser went 5-for-6 at the plate with three home runs, a team-high six RBI, and four runs scored. Rookie utility
Carla Chiaramonte (Middle Village, N.Y.) added a multi-hit effort in game one with two RBI and a run scored, while junior utility
Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA.) recorded three hits, including a double, and drove in a run.
Queens split the twin bill, taking game one, 7-1, before a late Spartans rally in game two broke a 1-1 tie en route to an 8-2 decision.
With the game one victory, Queens secured its first ECC win of the season, improving to 1-3 in conference play.
Game One – Queens 7, STAC 1
St. Thomas Aquinas struck first with a run in the top of the opening inning, but Queens responded immediately in the bottom half.
After junior third baseman
Kadie Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) reached on an infield single and advanced into scoring position, Wanser delivered an RBI single to even the score. Rookie second baseman
Kayla Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-of-4 AB) followed with a base hit before Campbell drove in Wanser with an RBI single, giving the Knights a 2-1 lead.
With rookie right-hander
Nellie Donahue (Levittown, N.Y.) (W, 2-5, 7.0 IP, 3H, ER, BB, 5) keeping the Spartans off the board in the second inning, her offense went to work in home half of the inning.
Queens added to its advantage in the second inning with a two-out rally. Senior shortstop
Allie Parascandola (East Quogue, N.Y.) and Cain each singled before Chiaramonte knocked in a run with a base hit. Wanser followed with another RBI single to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Knights continued to build momentum in the fourth. Junior center fielder
Sienna Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) led off with a single and later scored on Chiaramonte's RBI knock down the right field line. Wanser capped the inning with a two-run home run, her fourth of the season, to push the lead to 7-1.
With a six-run lead to work behind, Donahue was dominant. The freshman tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out five to earn her second career victory. Donahue retired six straight batters at one point and closed the game efficiently to secure Queens' first ECC win of the year.
Game Two – Queens 2, STAC 8
The Spartans once again opened the scoring, capitalizing on a Queens error to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Wanser answered in the bottom of the second, launching a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 1-1, her second homer of the day.
A pitcher's duel ensued as Campbell kept the Spartans in check through the middle innings, holding the visitors scoreless while Queens searched for a breakthrough.
The Knights threatened in the fifth when sophomore right fielder
Brigid Hood (Wantagh, N.Y.) delivered a two-out single; however, the Spartans' starting pitcher answered the challenge, leaving Hood stranded and the game tied at 1-1.
STAC broke the deadlock in the sixth, erupting for five runs before adding two more in the seventh to take control.
Wanser continued her standout day with her third home run of the doubleheader in the bottom of the seventh, but the Knights were unable to mount a comeback as the Spartans secured the split with an 8-2 victory.
Next Pitch
Queens remains at home and returns to non-conference action on Friday, April 3, hosting Holy Family University Tigers. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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