Softball Splits on Opening Day

Kissimmee, FL| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) softball team split on the opening day of its 2019 season in Kissimmee, FL on Friday afternoon when it defeated Washington College, 3-2, before dropping an 8-3 decision to Marietta College. The afternoon's results ensure the Golden Eagles start the year with a 1-1 record.

SJC 3, Washington 2

The Golden Eagles fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning and failed to muster any offense until the the fifth inning when they score three times.

Junior Franzelyn Russo (1-for-4) got the ball rolling with an RBI single to left center and senior Lyndsay Smocer (1-for-3) followed suit with an RBI single to center that scored senior Jillian McFadzen (0-for-2).

Sophomore Lindsay Ness (0-for-2) drove in the winning run when she scored freshman Jenna DeFina (2-for-4) from third with a sac fly.

Junior transfer Alyssa Rivera (1-0) gave up three hits in six innings on the mound and picked up the first win of her SJC career. Sophomore Katelynn Valente pitched the seventh inning and was credited with the save.

Marietta 8, SJC 3

Marietta scored three times in the fourth inning and four times in the fifth to go up 7-0 in the contest. After tacking on an eighth run in the top of the seventh, Marietta allowed three SJC runs in the bottom half of the inning.

DeFina (2-for-4) opened the scoring for the Golden Eagles with an RBI single to right that scored Meagan McClinchey (0-for-1) from third, and Smocer (2-for-3) capped off the afternoon with a single to left that scored both Russo (1-for-4) and Jenna Kreilling (1-for-3).

Freshman Catherine Zucker (0-1) took the loss for SJC after a 3.1-inning outing. Valente and freshman Patricia McGloin provided relief efforts.

The Golden Eagles return to action in Florida on Saturday with contests vs. Montclair State and Rutgers-Newark at 11:45 am and 2:15, respectively.