Buffalo, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team extended their current winning streak to seven games on Friday, with a pair of East Coast Conference victories over D'Youville University at Dobson Field in Western New York.
STAC improves to 22-12 overall and 12-2 in ECC play, while D'Youville falls to 14-14 and 4-6.
Game One: 8-3 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas powered past D'Youville, 8–3, overcoming an early deficit with a late offensive surge and a complete-game effort in the circle from Lauren Falk.
D'Youville Strikes First
After a scoreless first two innings, D'Youville broke through in the third. Danielle Fenlong delivered an RBI single, and Frankie Morris followed with a two-run double to give the home team a 3–0 lead.
Spartans Capitalize to Tie It
St. Thomas Aquinas responded in the fifth inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues. The Spartans plated three unearned runs in the frame, with Elyse Marcano, Jordyn Gautier, and Nayah Diaz all coming around to score and even the game at 3–3.
Marella Powers Go-Ahead Rally
The Spartans seized control in the sixth inning behind a big swing from Sofia Marella, who launched a two-run home run to put STAC ahead 5–3. Later in the inning, Alyssa Haberstroh added an RBI groundout to extend the lead to 6–3.
Insurance in the Seventh
St. Thomas Aquinas tacked on two more runs in the seventh. Adriana Coira brought in a run with a sacrifice bunt, and Olivia Leon followed with an RBI groundout to cap the scoring at 8–3.
Falk Goes the Distance
Lauren Falk earned the win with a complete-game performance, allowing three runs on 11 hits over seven innings. She struck out five and walked just one, working out of multiple jams to keep D'Youville from adding on after the third.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Sofia Marella: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Jordyn Gautier: 2-for-3, 2 R, SB
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-4, 2 R, SB
- Olivia Leon: 1-for-3, RBI, R
- Adriana Coira: 1-for-3, RBI
D'Youville
- Danielle Fenlong: 3-for-4, RBI, R
- Frankie Morris: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
- Gabby Moreno: 2-for-2, R
Game Two: 11-6 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas completed the sweep on April 17 with an 11–6 victory over D'Youville, riding a fast start and a relentless offensive attack to secure the win.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
The Spartans came out swinging in the first inning, plating four runs to take early control. Adriana Coira drove in the game's first run with a double, and Trinadey Santiago followed with a two-run double to extend the lead. Alyssa Haberstroh capped the inning with an RBI single, giving STAC a 4–0 advantage.
D'Youville Chips Away
D'Youville responded with single runs in the first, second, and third innings to cut into the deficit. Shannon Howes highlighted the stretch with an RBI triple, while Annie Jorgenson added an RBI double to make it 7–3 after three.
Spartans Add On, Saints Rally
St. Thomas Aquinas pushed its lead to 7–2 in the third behind a sacrifice fly from Haberstroh and a two-run single by Jordyn Gautier. However, D'Youville answered in the fourth with a three-run double from Jorja Sandilands, trimming the Spartans' lead to 7–6 and tightening the game.
Late Surge Secures the Win
The Spartans responded immediately, regaining momentum in the fifth. Nayah Diaz brought in a run, and Coira delivered again with an RBI triple to make it 9–6. STAC continued to add insurance in the sixth and seventh, highlighted by another RBI single from Gautier and a run-scoring hit from Sofia Marella to close out the 11–6 victory.
Popp Goes the Distance
Emma Grace Popp earned the win with a complete-game effort, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits over seven innings. She worked through multiple scoring threats, striking out three and walking four.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Adriana Coira: 4-for-5, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Trinadey Santiago: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Jordyn Gautier: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, R, SB
- Sofia Marella: 2-for-2, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
D'Youville
- Jorja Sandilands: 1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
- Danielle Fenlong: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R
- Shannon Howes: 2-for-3, 3B, RBI, R
- Frankie Morris: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 R
Up Next
STAC hosts Felician University in a non-conference twin bill at Spartan Field on Wednesday, April 22, with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 3:00 p.m.