Bridgeport, Conn. - For the first time in four years, the St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team renewed their rivalry on the diamond with former East Coast Conference foes University of Bridgeport on Wednesday afternoon at Seaside Park. Early runs in game one allowed the Purple Knights to capture a 5-2 victory, before the visiting Spartans returned the favor to earn a 12-7 triumph in the nightcap.
STAC moves to 16-12 on the year, while Bridgeport goes to 18-14.
Game One: 5-2 Bridgeport
Bridgeport capitalized on early opportunities and strong pitching to defeat St. Thomas Aquinas, 5–2.
Early Edge for the Spartans
St. Thomas Aquinas struck first in the opening inning. Sofia Marella reached on an error, allowing a run to score and giving the Spartans a 1–0 lead.
Bridgeport Responds in the Second
Bridgeport answered with a big second inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues. The Purple Knights plated three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single from Sydnee Perreault, to jump ahead 3–1.
Adding On
Bridgeport continued to build its lead in the middle innings. Isabella Benjamin delivered an RBI double in the third, and Perreault struck again in the fourth with an RBI double to extend the advantage to 5–1.
Spartans Show Late Life
St. Thomas Aquinas got one back in the fifth inning when Marcano drove in Alyssa Haberstroh with a sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 5–2. However, the Spartans were unable to generate further offense down the stretch.
Zarate Goes the Distance
Bridgeport's Vise Zarate earned the win with a complete-game performance, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six.
Falk Takes the Loss
Lauren Falk went the distance for St. Thomas Aquinas, allowing five runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out nine.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-3, RBI, R
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 1-for-2, 2B, R
- Sofia Marella: 1-for-3
- Trinadey Santiago: 1-for-3
- Nayah Diaz: 1-for-3
Bridgeport
- Sydnee Perreault: 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
- Isabella Benjamin: 2-for-3, 2-2B, RBI, R
- McKenzie Morgan: 2-for-3, R
- Nathalie Mongrain: 2-for-3, R
- Sophia Philippou: 1-for-3, 2B, R
Game Two: 12-7 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas erupted for a massive third inning and never looked back, powering past Bridgeport, 12–7, to secure the split.
Scoreless Start Before Explosion
Both teams were held in check through the first two innings before the Spartans broke things wide open in the third. A sacrifice bunt by Adriana Coira got the scoring started, and Olivia Leon followed with a two-run double. Sofia Marella and Trinadey Santiago then delivered back-to-back home runs, capping a six-run inning and giving St. Thomas Aquinas a commanding 6–0 lead.
Bridgeport Battles Back
Bridgeport responded in the bottom half of the third with a two-run home run from Sydnee Perreault. The Purple Knights continued to chip away in the fifth, taking advantage of defensive errors and getting a two-run single from Lacie Grenier to close the gap to 7–5.
Spartans Add Insurance
St. Thomas Aquinas answered with key insurance runs late in the game. Olivia Leon drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and Trinadey Santiago added an RBI double. The Spartans then pulled away in the seventh, highlighted by a two-run double from Leon that extended the lead to 12–5.
Late Push Falls Short
Bridgeport made one final push in the seventh as Perreault launched her second home run of the game, a two-run shot, but the rally fell short.
Popp Earns the Win
Emma Grace Popp went the distance in the circle, earning the win while allowing seven runs (four earned) on seven hits with eight strikeouts.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Olivia Leon: 3-for-4, 3-2B, 6 RBI, R
- Elyse Marcano: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, 4 R, 2 BB
- Trinadey Santiago: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R
- Sofia Marella: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Adriana Coira: 1-for-2, RBI, 3 R
Bridgeport
- Sydnee Perreault: 2-for-4, 2-HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
- Lacie Grenier: 2-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI
- Sophia Philippou: 1-for-3, 2B, R
- Breanna Pelaez: 1-for-1, 2 R
Up Next
STAC concludes its six-game road trip, visiting the College of Staten Island on Saturday, April 11 for an ECC doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for noon at the CSI Softball Complex.