Sparkill, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team closed out their 2026 regular season schedule on Friday afternoon with a Senior Day doubleheader sweep of the College of Staten Island at Spartan Field by the scores of 9-0 and 4-1.
STAC heads to the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the upcoming East Coast Conference Tournament, with an overall record of 30-12 and an 18-2 conference mark. Meanwhile, CSI falls to 12-20 and 7-11.
Prior to the twin bill, the Spartans honored their graduating senior class; Adriana Coira, Elyse Marcano, Trinadey Santiago and Elora Wilmot with on-field ceremonies, which included the athletes' families, friends, teammates, coaches and college administrators.
Additionally, and as has been the case all season long, the maroon and gold saw both team and individual milestones reached on the final day of the regular season competition.
- No. 2 Ranking in NCAA East Region Poll - Best Ever in Program History
- Fourth Straight 30-Win Season
- 15 Straight Victories Entering Postseason Play
- Most ECC Regular Season Wins (18) in Program History
- Highest Overall Winning Percentage in Regular Season (.714) in Program History
- Sofia Marella Now First in Single-Season RBIs (52), Second in Single-Season Home Runs (13) and Third All-Time in Home Runs (23)
Game One: 9-0 STAC (Five Innings)
St. Thomas Aquinas continued its dominant ECC run, blanking Staten Island 9–0 in five innings behind timely hitting and another composed performance from Lauren Falk.
Early Spark
The Spartans wasted little time getting on the board in the first inning. Sofia Marella jumpstarted the offense with an RBI triple down the right-field line, bringing home Olivia Leon for a 1–0 lead.
Breaking It Open
St. Thomas Aquinas created separation in the third inning with a mix of clutch hitting and pressure on the defense. Leon delivered an RBI triple to score Adriana Coira, doubling the lead.
The Spartans capitalized on Staten Island miscues shortly after. Trinadey Santiago reached on an error that allowed Marella to advance and Leon to score, followed by another error that brought home Marella, pushing the advantage to 4–0.
Fourth-Inning Surge
The Spartans put the game out of reach in the fourth with a five-run outburst. Marella struck again with a two-run single, scoring Coira and Elyse Marcano.
Moments later, a wild pitch allowed Leon to cross the plate, and Alyssa Haberstroh delivered the knockout blow with a two-run single to left, extending the lead to 9–0.
Falk in Command
Lauren Falk was in full control in the circle, tossing a five-inning shutout. The right-hander scattered four hits, allowed just one walk, and struck out two in a clean and efficient outing.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Sofia Marella: 2-for-2, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Olivia Leon: 1-for-2, 3B, RBI, 3 R
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 1-for-2, 3 RBI, SB
- Adriana Coira: 1-for-1, 2 R, SB
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-3, R, SB
Staten Island
- Madilyn Paul: 1-for-2, 2B
- Milene Mendoza: 1-for-2, 2B
- Kaylee Cary: 1-for-2
- Presley Borne: 1-for-2
Game Two: 4-1 STAC
St. Thomas Aquinas capped off a dominant doubleheader sweep of Staten Island with a 4–1 victory, combining timely hitting with a standout complete-game performance from Emma Grace Popp.
Fast Start
The Spartans struck early in the first inning to set the tone. Olivia Leon roped an RBI double to left-center, scoring Elyse Marcano for the game's first run.
Moments later, Trinadey Santiago continued her big day at the plate with an RBI single to left, bringing home Leon and giving St. Thomas Aquinas a 2–0 lead.
Adding Insurance
After a few quiet innings, Sofia Marella provided a key insurance run in the fourth, launching a solo home run to right field to extend the Spartans' advantage to 3–0.
Staten Island Responds
Staten Island broke through in the sixth inning when Bridget Motley connected on a solo home run to center, cutting the deficit to 3–1 and briefly shifting momentum.
Closing It Out
The Spartans answered immediately in the bottom half of the sixth. Trinadey Santiago came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Alyssa Haberstroh, restoring a three-run cushion at 4–1.
Popp Dominates
Emma Grace Popp was in command throughout, tossing a complete-game effort. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits while striking out eight and walking three, consistently shutting down Staten Island's offense.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Trinadey Santiago: 3-for-3, 2B, RBI, R
- Sofia Marella: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, R
- Olivia Leon: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, R
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 0-for-2, RBI
- Elyse Marcano: 0-for-2, R, SB
Staten Island
- Bridget Motley: 1-for-2, HR, RBI, R
- Kaylee Cary: 1-for-3
- Abbie Morris: 1-for-3
- Soleil Smith: 1-for-3
Up Next
No. 1 STAC will host the upcoming East Coast Conference Softball Tournament, May 7-9 at Spartan Field. Matchups and game times are still to be determined, and will released on Sunday evening.