Sparkill, N.Y. - Playing in the program's first-ever East Super Regional round of the NCAA Division II Softball tournament on Thursday, St. Thomas Aquinas College showed why they are one the best teams still competing in the country. All facets of their game were on display in a thrilling 5-4 extra innings walk-off victory over Assumption University at Spartan Field.

A solid, complete game pitching performance by Lauren Falk, combined with timely hitting from Adriana Coira, Trinadey Santiago, Alyssa Haberstroh and especially Yazmine Garcia, and stellar defense from several Spartans puts the maroon and gold up 1-0 in the best-of-three series with the Greyhounds.

STAC earns its NCAA D2-best 22nd straight victory and continues to set a new program record for wins, now at 37 (37-12).

STAC 5-4 (Nine Innings)

St. Thomas Aquinas battled back late and earned a dramatic 5–4 walk-off victory over Assumption on Thursday afternoon, using timely hitting and another complete-game effort from Lauren Falk to secure the extra-inning win.

Spartans Strike Early

Assumption grabbed an early 1–0 lead in the top of the first when Kaitlyn Cahill scored on a wild pitch, but the Spartans wasted little time responding.

Elyse Marcano ignited the bottom half with a double before Adriana Coira tied the game on an RBI double down the right-field line. Moments later, Trinadey Santiago lined an RBI single to center to give STAC its first lead of the afternoon.

The Spartans then delivered the game's biggest swing in the inning when Alyssa Haberstroh launched a two-run homer to left-center, extending the advantage to 4–1 after one.

Assumption Chips Away

The Greyhounds slowly battled back over the middle innings.

Maddy Bland drove in a run with a groundout in the third to trim the deficit to 4–2 before Assumption added an unearned run in the sixth after Siena Nardelli stole third and came home on a throwing error.

In the seventh, Bella Mara delivered a game-tying RBI single to right field, scoring Kaylee Lacomb and evening the contest at 4–4.

Both teams traded scoreless frames into extra innings as Falk and Assumption starter Kaelin Waldron settled in.

Garcia Delivers the Walk-Off

The Spartans finally broke through in the bottom of the ninth.

After Trinadey Santiago worked one of her three walks and Alyssa Haberstroh reached via another free pass to put the winning run in scoring position, Yazmine Garcia lined a single into left field to bring Santiago home and seal the 5–4 victory for St. Thomas Aquinas.

Falk Goes the Distance Again

Lauren Falk earned her 19th win of the season with another complete-game performance in the circle.

The right-hander scattered 12 hits and allowed four runs — only three earned — across all nine innings while walking one and striking out two. Falk threw 77 strikes on 107 pitches and worked out of multiple jams late to keep the Spartans in position for the walk-off finish.

Key Performers

St. Thomas Aquinas

• Elyse Marcano: 3-for-5, 2B, R
• Adriana Coira: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R, SB
• Trinadey Santiago: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB
• Alyssa Haberstroh: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
• Yazmine Garcia: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
• Olivia Leon: 2-for-5
• Lauren Falk: 9.0 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 K

Assumption

• Kaitlyn Cahill: 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R, SB
• Kaylee Lacomb: 2-for-4, R, SB
• Maddy Bland: 3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI
• Bella Mara: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
• Molly Green: 2-for-4, 2B
• Kaelin Waldron: 8.2 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 8 BB, 2 K

Up Next

The Spartans and Greyhounds battle in game two on Friday (May 22) at Spartan Field. First pitch is scheduled for noon. STAC only needs to win one more game to advance to the NCAA D2 Softball Championship round of the tournament, while Assumption would need win two contests, including an if-necessary game three at 3:00 p.m.

Note: Assumption is the designated home team for game two and will bat last in every inning. If there is a game three, a coin toss between the teams will decide home and away designations.

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MAY 21

FRIDAY, MAY 22