Rockville Centre, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team extended their current win-streak to eleven games, with a road doubleheader sweep of Molloy University on Friday afternoon at the RVC Sports Complex on Long Island.
STAC runs its record to 26-12 overall and 14-2 in ECC play, while Molloy falls to 14-30 and 4-10.
Game One: 4-3 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas held off Molloy in a tight, back-and-forth contest, using a late go-ahead hit to secure a 4–3 road victory and continue its strong ECC run.
Early Pressure Pays Off
The Spartans wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. With the bases loaded, Yazmine Garcia drew an RBI walk to bring home Elyse Marcano and give St. Thomas Aquinas a 1–0 lead.
Marella Goes Deep
St. Thomas Aquinas added to its advantage in the third inning thanks to Sofia Marella. The power hitter launched a two-run home run to center field, scoring Adriana Coira and extending the Spartans' lead to 3–0.
Molloy Chips Away
Molloy responded in the bottom half of the third. Alyssa Bueno drove in a run on a fielder's choice, cutting the deficit to 3–1.
The Lions continued to battle in the fifth inning. Gwen Woodsit delivered an RBI single, and Mariah Cepeda followed with a run-scoring groundout to even the game at 3–3.
Late-Inning Execution
With the game tied entering the seventh, St. Thomas Aquinas found a way to manufacture the go-ahead run. Trinadey Santiago came through with a clutch RBI single to left field, scoring Olivia Leon and putting the Spartans back in front, 4–3.
Falk Finishes Strong
Lauren Falk shut the door in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win. The right-hander tossed a complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out four.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Sofia Marella: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Trinadey Santiago: 2-for-4, RBI
- Yazmine Garcia: 2-for-3, RBI, BB
- Olivia Leon: 2-for-4, 2B, R
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-3, R, BB
Molloy
- Alexis Montgomery: 3-for-4, 3B, R
- Alyssa Bueno: 2-for-4, RBI
- Gwen Woodsit: 1-for-1, RBI
- Mariah Cepeda: 0-for-4, RBI
- Emily McGurk: 1-for-3, R
Game Two: 6-1 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas completed the sweep of Molloy with a dominant 6–1 victory, using timely power hitting and a commanding performance in the circle to control the game from start to finish.
Pitchers' Duel Early
Both teams were kept off the scoreboard through the first three innings as the starting pitchers settled in. St. Thomas Aquinas managed just a few baserunners early, while Molloy struggled to generate consistent offense against Emma Grace Popp.
Marella Breaks It Open
The Spartans broke through in the fourth inning in a big way. Sofia Marella crushed a two-run home run to left-center field, scoring Elyse Marcano and giving St. Thomas Aquinas a 2–0 lead.
Adding On
St. Thomas Aquinas extended its lead in the sixth inning with smart situational hitting. Marella delivered again, this time with a sacrifice fly to bring home Olivia Leon and make it 3–0.
Molloy answered in the bottom half of the inning when Mae Savage ripped an RBI double to center, cutting the deficit to 3–1.
Seventh-Inning Surge
The Spartans put the game out of reach in the seventh inning with a three-run burst. Alyssa Haberstroh started it with a solo home run to left field. Elyse Marcano followed with an RBI single, and Adriana Coira added another run-scoring hit to stretch the lead to 6–1.
Popp Dominates in the Circle
Emma Grace Popp delivered a standout performance, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on five hits. She struck out 10 and did not issue a walk, keeping Molloy off balance all afternoon.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Sofia Marella: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, R
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, BB
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 1-for-2, HR, RBI, R, BB
- Adriana Coira: 1-for-4, RBI
- Olivia Leon: 1-for-3, 2B, R
Molloy
- Mae Savage: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
- Emily McGurk: 1-for-3, R
- Alyssa Bueno: 1-for-3
- Stevie Dabbadie: 1-for-3, 2B
- Gabby Rocha: 1-for-1, 2B
Up Next
The forecast of rain washes out Saturday's (April 25) scheduled ECC twin bill with Queens College, which will now be made up on Wednesday, April 29. The maroon and gold will next be in action on Monday, April 27 against non-conference opponents Holy Family University, with first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m at Spartan Field.