Stroudsburg, Pa. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team opened its 2026 campaign on the road, traveling to No. 16 NFCA nationally ranked East Stroudsburg University for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader at Creekview Park.
Despite receiving home runs from Spartans Olivia Leon, Nayah Diaz and Trinadey Santiago on the day, the host Warriors took 8-4 and 13-5 decisions to earn the twin bill sweep.
STAC falls to 0-2 on the year, while East Stroudsburg evens its record at 5-5.
East Stroudsburg plated runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings to take a 6-0 lead in game one, before a Nayah Diaz solo shot and defensive lapses by the hosts allowed both Maristella Coira and Elyse Marcano to score to cut the deficit in half at 6-3 in the top of the sixth. ESU then added a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to increase their lead to 8-3. A Olivia Leon shot over the left field fence in the seventh inning made it an 8-4 game, but that would be all of the offense that the Spartans could muster before the final out was recorded.
STAC starter Alyssa Liguori (L, 0-1) got the nod in the opener, but was unable to get out of the first inning, allowing two runs and two walks. Emma Grace Popp then came on in relief and hurled five innings, surrendering six runs (four earned) on five hits with seven walks. She also struck out eight. Elora Wilmot saw action for the final inning, allowing a walk and striking out one.
East Stroudsburg starter, and 2025 All-American, Sarah Davenport went the distance for the Warriors, giving up four runs (two earned) on eight hits while fanning ten Spartans' batters.
In game two, the Warriors raced out to a 2-0 advantage in the first inning, but STAC rallied with three runs in the second via Trinadey Santiago's 2-run blast and an ESU miscue on double steal attempt, bringing Lauren Falk to the plate to take a 3-2 lead. However, East Stroudsburg would strike again for four runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 6-3. A pair of errors by the hosts in the third allowed both Sofia Marella and Trinadey Santiago to score in the third to cut the deficit to 6-5. Consecutive runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings ballooned the ESU lead to eight at 13-5 and triggered an end to the game.
Lauren Falk (L, 0-1) took to the circle for the maroon and gold in the late game and surrendered 13 runs (11 earned) on 17 hits in five and third innings. She also sent five opposing hitters back to the dugout via strikeout.
Up Next: STAC embarks on its annual Florida trip – a six-day, eight-game appearance in Space Coast Games in Melbourne, Florida beginning on Tuesday, March 10.