Caldwell, N.J. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team returned to action on Sunday, hitting the road for a non-conference doubleheader with Caldwell University in New Jersey. In the opener, the Spartans earned an 8-0 run-rule victory in six innings, before losing in walk-off fashion in the night cap, 6-5 to pick up a split with the Cougars.
STAC moves to 10-10 on the season, while Caldwell goes to 10-12.
In addition, Spartans third baseman Trinadey Santiago joined the record books by clubbing her 100th career hit, joining a long list of impressive sluggers, including her head coach Kristen Sullivan and current teammates Elyse Marcano and Adriana Coira.
Game One: 8-0 STAC (Six Innings)
St. Thomas Aquinas delivered a complete performance, cruising to an 8–0 shutout victory over Caldwell behind timely hitting and a dominant outing in the circle from Lauren Falk.
Early Spark Sets the Tone
After a scoreless first inning, the Spartans jumped ahead in the second. Trinadey Santiago got things started with a solo home run to open the scoring.
Later in the inning, Elyse Marcano brought in another run on a fielder's choice, pushing the lead to 2–0.
Offense Builds the Lead
St. Thomas Aquinas continued to apply pressure in the third inning. Nayah Diaz delivered a key two-run single to left field, scoring Jordyn Gautier and Santiago to extend the advantage to 4–0.
The Spartans added to their lead in the fifth when Yazmine Garcia lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Santiago, making it 5–0.
Big Sixth Inning Seals It
The Spartans broke the game open in the sixth inning. Sofia Marella ripped a two-run double down the right field line to score Adriana Coira and Marcano.
Moments later, Gautier added a sacrifice fly to plate Marella, capping the scoring at 8–0 and securing the run-rule victory.
Falk Dominates in the Circle
Lauren Falk was in full control throughout, tossing a complete-game shutout. She allowed just three hits over six innings while striking out five and issuing no walks.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Trinadey Santiago: 3-for-3, HR, 2B, 3 R, RBI
- Sofia Marella: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
- Nayah Diaz: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, BB
- Jordyn Gautier: 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-4, RBI, R
Caldwell
- Lindsay Oller: 1-for-3
- Maddie Matkosky: 1-for-3
- Kendall Mazur: 1-for-2
Game Two: 6-5 Caldwell
St. Thomas Aquinas jumped out to an early lead but couldn't hold off a late push, falling 6–5 to Caldwell in a back-and-forth battle.
Fast Start for the Spartans
The Spartans came out swinging in the first inning, putting up four runs to take early control. Trinadey Santiago got things started with a two-run single to center, scoring Olivia Leon and Adriana Coira.
Yazmine Garcia followed with an RBI double, and Jordyn Gautier capped the inning with a run-scoring single to give St. Thomas Aquinas a 4–0 advantage.
Caldwell answered in the bottom half, taking advantage of a defensive sequence and a solo home run from Emily Kurth to cut the deficit to 4–2.
Trading Runs in the Middle Innings
St. Thomas Aquinas added to its lead in the fourth inning when Elyse Marcano delivered an RBI single to score Gautier, making it 5–2.
Caldwell responded again in the bottom half, capitalizing on defensive miscues to plate two unearned runs and pull within 5–4.
The Cougars evened the score in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Maddie Matkosky, bringing home Kenzie Nazionale to tie the game at 5–5.
Walk-Off Decides It
After a scoreless sixth, Caldwell completed the comeback in the seventh. With runners on, Emily Kurth delivered an RBI single to left field, scoring Nazionale for the walk-off 6–5 victory.
Tough Break in the Circle
Emma Grace Popp started for the Spartans, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits over five innings while striking out four and walking six.
Lauren Falk took over in relief and was tagged with the loss after surrendering the game-winning run on three hits and a walk in the seventh.
Haleigh Fisher went the distance for Caldwell, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out three.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Jordyn Gautier: 3-for-3, R, RBI
- Elyse Marcano: 2-for-4, RBI
- Trinadey Santiago: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R
- Yazmine Garcia: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, R
Caldwell
- Kenzie Nazionale: 3-for-4, 3B, 3 R
- Emily Kurth: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Maddie Matkosky: 1-for-2, 2B, RBI
Up Next
STAC visits Queens College on Wednesday, April 1 for an ECC doubleheader which gets underway at 2:00 p.m.