Sparkill, N.Y. - It was a special day for the St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team on Saturday at Spartan Field, as the team hosted Molloy University in an East Coast Conference doubleheader. With their new championship banners prominently on display, honoring the program's ECC and NCAA achievements from 2022 through 2025, the Spartans went out and picked up a pair of victories over the Lions by the scores of 8-5 and 8-4.
However, there was still even more to celebrate, as junior catcher Olivia Leon joined the record books by clubbing her 100th career hit, joining a long list of impressive sluggers, including her head coach Kristen Sullivan and current teammates Elyse Marcano, Adriana Coira and Trinadey Santiago. Leon was simply on fire this day, going 6-for-7 from the dish, with a pair of home runs, a double, three RBI and five runs scored.
STAC improves to 13-11 overall and 6-2 in the ECC, while Molloy falls to 7-19 and 1-5.
Game One: 8-5 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas used a big middle innings surge and a strong offensive showing to defeat Molloy, 8–5, in ECC action.
Fast Start for the Spartans
The Spartans wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Olivia Leon launched a solo home run to left field, and Trinadey Santiago followed with an RBI double to plate Sofia Marella, giving St. Thomas Aquinas a 2–0 lead.
Molloy Battles Back
Molloy answered in the second inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to tie the game. Casey Kissinger drove in a run with a single, and Alexis Montgomery followed with another RBI base hit to even the score at 2–2.
St. Thomas Aquinas regained the lead in the third inning when Santiago delivered again, knocking in Leon with an RBI single to make it 3–2.
Back-and-Forth in the Middle Innings
Molloy briefly took control in the fourth inning. Kissinger sparked the rally with an RBI triple, and Montgomery added her second RBI single of the game to give Molloy a 4–3 advantage.
The Spartans responded immediately in the bottom half. Alyssa Haberstroh tied the game with an RBI double before Adriana Coira delivered a two-run single to put St. Thomas Aquinas back in front, 6–4.
Molloy cut the deficit to one in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Skyler Secondino, making it 6–5.
Spartans Pull Away Late
St. Thomas Aquinas created separation in the sixth inning. Santiago capped her big day with a two-run single, extending the lead to 8–5 and providing insurance.
Falk Goes the Distance
Lauren Falk earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete game. She allowed five runs—just two earned—on nine hits while striking out seven and walking none.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
Olivia Leon: 3-for-3, HR, RBI, 3 R
Trinadey Santiago: 3-for-3, 2B, 4 RBI
Sofia Marella: 3-for-4, R
Adriana Coira: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R
Molloy
Casey Kissinger: 2-for-3, 3B, 2 RBI, R
Alexis Montgomery: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Skyler Secondino: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R
Megan Wegel: 2-for-4, 2B
Game Two: 8-4 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas used timely power hitting and a decisive fifth inning to secure an 8–4 victory over Molloy, completing the ECC sweep.
Molloy Strikes First
After two scoreless innings, Molloy broke through in the third. Stevie Dabbadie provided the big swing, launching a three-run home run to left field to give Molloy a 3–0 advantage.
Spartans Respond with Power
St. Thomas Aquinas answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Olivia Leon cut into the deficit with a two-run home run, bringing the Spartans within one at 3–2.
The Spartans took the lead in the fourth inning when Alyssa Haberstroh delivered a two-run homer to left, flipping the score to 4–3.
Fifth Inning Surge
St. Thomas Aquinas broke the game open in the fifth inning. Trinadey Santiago blasted a two-run home run to extend the lead, and the Spartans continued to add on with aggressive baserunning and situational hitting. A run scored on a groundout before Lauren Falk added an RBI single, pushing the advantage to 8–3.
Molloy Attempts to Rally
Molloy picked up a run in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Alexis Montgomery, but the Spartans' lead proved too much to overcome.
Popp Shuts the Door
Emma Grace Popp earned the win with a complete game performance. She allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out eight and walking three to improve to 7–1 on the season.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
Olivia Leon: 3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Trinadey Santiago: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
Alyssa Haberstroh: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, R
Jordyn Gautier: 2-for-3, 2-2B, 2 R
Yazmine Garcia: 2-for-3, R
Molloy
Stevie Dabbadie: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, R
Mae Savage: 1-for-2, 2 BB, R
Emily McGurk: 1-for-4, 2B, R
Alexis Montgomery: 1-for-3, RBI
Up Next
STAC visits Post University for a non-conference twin bill on Tuesday, April 7. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at LaMoy Field in Waterbury, Connecticut.