Staten Island, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team handed the College of Staten Island a pair of lopsided conference losses on Saturday afternoon, with the maroon and gold sweeping both ends of the ECC twin bill by the scores of 8-0 and 6-2.
STAC improves to 18-12 overall and 8-2 in ECC play, while CSI slips to 9-15 and 4-6.
Game One: 8-0 STAC (5 Innings)
St. Thomas Aquinas delivered a dominant all-around performance, using power at the plate and a shutout effort in the circle to defeat Staten Island, 8–0 in a run-rule shortened affair.
Power Surge in the Second
The Spartans broke through in the second inning with back-to-back long balls. Trinadey Santiago launched a solo home run to center, and Yazmine Garcia followed with a solo shot to left, giving St. Thomas Aquinas a 2–0 lead.
Adding On
The Spartans extended their lead in the fourth inning. Elyse Marcano ripped an RBI double to left-center, scoring Alyssa Haberstroh and making it 3–0.
Big Fifth Inning Seals It
St. Thomas Aquinas put the game away with a five-run fifth inning. Garcia started the rally with an RBI double, and Haberstroh followed with an RBI single. Jordyn Gautier then delivered a two-run triple to break things open, and Nayah Diaz capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 8–0.
Falk Dominates in the Circle
Lauren Falk was in complete control, tossing a five-inning shutout. She allowed five hits while striking out four and walking two to earn the win.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Yazmine Garcia: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Trinadey Santiago: 2-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 R
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 R
- Jordyn Gautier: 1-for-2, 3B, 2 RBI, R
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
Staten Island
- Jianna Lopez: 1-for-3
- Aliveah Warner: 1-for-3
- Madilyn Paul: 1-for-2
- Bridget Motley: 1-for-2
- Taryn Judson: 1-for-2, 2B
Game Two: 6-2 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas completed the sweep with another strong offensive showing and a complete-game effort in the circle, defeating Staten Island 6–2.
Early Control
The Spartans jumped ahead in the second inning. Nayah Diaz delivered a clutch two-run double to left field, scoring Jordyn Gautier and Alyssa Haberstroh to make it 2–0.
Building the Lead
St. Thomas Aquinas continued to apply pressure in the third inning. Sofia Marella drove in a run with a single, and Yazmine Garcia followed with an RBI single of her own to extend the lead to 4–0.
The Spartans added another run in the fourth when Adriana Coira brought home Diaz with a groundout, pushing the advantage to 5–0.
Staten Island Responds
Staten Island got on the board in the fifth inning. Jianna Lopez ripped a two-run triple to right-center, cutting the deficit to 5–2.
Spartans Add Insurance
St. Thomas Aquinas answered in the sixth inning as Marella came through again with an RBI single, extending the lead to 6–2 and providing key insurance.
Popp Goes the Distance
Emma Grace Popp earned the win with a complete-game performance, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking one.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Sofia Marella: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
- Nayah Diaz: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
- Elyse Marcano: 2-for-4, R
- Olivia Leon: 2-for-4, 2B, R
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 2-for-3, 2B, R
Staten Island
- Jianna Lopez: 1-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI
- Emily Reilly: 1-for-2, R
- Presley Borne: 1-for-2, R
- Taryn Judson: 1-for-3
Up Next
STAC hosts Mercy University in an ECC doubleheader at Spartan Field on Tuesday, April 14. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.