Eagles Pound Blue Jays to Fly into Sole Possesion of First Place

Patchogue, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's softball team (16-10, 7-1 SKY) defended their home turf despite playing the role of the "visiting" team on Sunday against NYU-Polytechnic (14-7, 4-2 SKY) as they upended the Fighting Blue Jays, 6-1 and 10-2, in both ends of a Skyline Conference doubleheader.  Poly was considered the "home" team because the game was switched to the SJC Outdoor Complex due to issues with the Blue Jays' home field.

In game one, NYU-Poly led the entire way until the Eagles bats exploded in the top of the seventh inning for six runs on four hits.  The big blows were a two-RIB single by Gina Moscatelli, followed by a three-run homer over the leftfield fence by Julianne Tierney.   The game tying run was scored by Lindsey Corriss on a wild pitch by Poly's Miranda Merilli.   

Julia De Carmine held SJC close by scattering five hits over seven innings, allowing only one run to bolster her record to 7-1 on the season.

In game two, the Eagles jumped all over the Blue Jays with five runs in the first two innings on their way to a mercy rule victory in five innings.  De Carmine, playing second base, drove home Tierney with a single to right to get the Eagles out to a quick lead. 

Five hits in the second totaled four runs, including two-RBI singles by Tara Bernocco and Mallory McClafferty.  SJC added three more runs in fourth, highlighted by RBI singles by De Carmine and Casey Thomas.  Jen Fazio added a two-run single in the fifth to cap the Eagles scoring.

Pitcher Cassie Martinez improved her record to 7-6 by allowing one earned run and six hits along with striking out five batters over five innings.

Up next for St. Joseph's is a home double-dip with New Jersey City University on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the SJC Outdoor Complex.