Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. - Opening the East Coast Conference portion of their schedule on Tuesday, the St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team earned a road doubleheader sweep of Mercy University at Smith Field by the scores of 4-0 and 8-2.
STAC climbs back to the .500 mark at 8-8 overall, while moving to 2-0 in ECC play. Meanwhile, Mercy slips to 3-7 and 0-2.
Game One: 4-0 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas opened ECC play with a strong all-around performance, defeating Mercy, 4–0, behind a complete-game shutout and an 11-hit offensive effort.
Early Spark Sets the Tone
The Spartans wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Elyse Marcano showcased aggressive baserunning, stealing home to give St. Thomas Aquinas an early 1–0 advantage.
Adding On in the Middle Innings
After a few quiet frames, the Spartans created separation in the fourth inning. Alyssa Haberstroh delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home Jordyn Gautier, doubling the lead to 2–0.
Moments later, Marcano struck again—this time with a sacrifice fly to center field—scoring Yazmine Garcia and extending the lead to 3–0.
Insurance Late
St. Thomas Aquinas added a final run in the seventh inning when Olivia Leon capped off a perfect day at the plate with an RBI single to left, scoring Adriana Coira for a 4–0 cushion.
Dominant in the Circle
Lauren Falk was in complete control throughout, tossing a four-hit shutout. She struck out six and did not issue a walk, needing just 101 pitches to secure the victory.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas:
- Olivia Leon: 4-for-4, 2B, RBI
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-3, RBI, R, SB
- Yazmine Garcia: 2-for-3, 2-2B, R
- Trinadey Santiago: 2-for-4
Mercy:
- Emma Jackson: 1-for-3
- Averi Miller: 1-for-3
- Jessica Fox: 1-for-3
- Dylan Reyer: 1-for-3
Game Two: 8-2 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas completed the doubleheader sweep with an 8–2 victory over Mercy, riding a fast start and a balanced offensive attack to improve to 2–0 in ECC play.
Fast Start Fuels Spartans
The Spartans erupted for four runs in the opening inning to take immediate control. Elyse Marcano scored on a wild pitch to open the scoring, followed by an RBI double from Olivia Leon.
Moments later, Sofia Marella delivered the big blow—a two-run home run to right field—pushing the lead to 4–0 before Mercy recorded an out.
Mercy answered with single runs in the first and second innings, trimming the deficit to 4–2 behind RBI hits from Julianna Coluccio and Allison Murphy.
Adding Separation
St. Thomas Aquinas responded in the third inning with two more runs. Yazmine Garcia lifted a sacrifice fly to score Marella, and Alyssa Haberstroh followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 6–2.
The Spartans added two more in the fourth. Trinadey Santiago drove in a run with a single, and another came home on a Mercy fielding error, stretching the advantage to 8–2.
Popp Controls the Game
Emma Grace Popp kept Mercy in check the rest of the way, tossing a complete game while allowing just two runs on five hits. She struck out five and worked around two walks to earn the win.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas:
- Olivia Leon: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R
- Sofia Marella: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Elyse Marcano: 2-for-4, 2 R, SB
- Trinadey Santiago: 2-for-4, RBI, R
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Mercy:
- Julianna Coluccio: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
- Allison Murphy: 1-for-4, RBI
- Dylan Reyer: 1-for-3
- Makayla Rady: 1-for-3
Up Next
STAC hosts D'Youville University in an ECC twin bill at Spartan Field on Friday, March 27. First pitch between the Spartans and Saints is set for 2:00 p.m.