Falcons Sweep Pride in GNAC Opener

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Regis College women's softball team opened Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Saturday with a doubleheader against Albertus Magnus. The Falcons shut out the Pride, 5-0, in game one before completing the sweep in a 9-4 win in game two. The losses drop Regis to 2-12 overall and 0-2 in early GNAC action.

Game One, Regis 0-5 Albertus Magnus

The Falcons jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the opening inning, using two hits, an error, and aggressive base running to score four runs. Amelia Boulli highlighted the frame with a two-RBI single to right field.

Madi Zancan looked to respond in the second with the Pride's first hit of the game, a single to left, but she was left stranded as the inning ended on a routine popup. An inning later, Francesca Licata delivered a single to right that moved Sydney Grund to second, but pitcher Annabelle Jabs retired the next two batters to keep Regis off the board.

The Falcons added to their lead in the third with a double to center that drove in a run, extending the advantage to 5-0. Zancan recorded a putout and Kate Julian followed with a strikeout to leave the runner stranded at second.

The final four innings turned into a defensive battle, as neither team recorded a hit, and the Falcons went on to secure the 5-0 victory.

Game Two, Regis 4-9 Albertus Magnus

The Falcons started game two in similar fashion, using discipline at the plate and timely hitting - highlighted by a two-RBI single from Amelia Ovalles - to plate four runs in the opening inning.

Samantha Kelepouris led off the second with a single, igniting a promising opportunity for the Pride as Michaela Edwards entered as a pinch runner. Edwards immediately put pressure on the defense by swiping second and advancing to third on the next at-bat, putting herself 60 feet away from scoring. However, she was caught attempting to steal home to end the inning, cutting the rally short and limiting the damage.

Albertus Magnus added to its lead in the third with a pair of doubles that accounted for two of three runs in the frame, extending the advantage to 7-0, before adding another run in the fourth.

The Pride responded in the fifth, capitalizing on a walk and a pair of defensive miscues to spark a rally. Grace Motto's bunt single put runners in scoring position, and Francesca Licata reached on an error that allowed two runs to score. Lynsey Kay followed with an RBI double to center, capping a three-run inning and cutting the deficit to 8-3.

Regis made one final push in the seventh, as Licata doubled to right field and advanced to third on a single by Kay. Kelepouris drove in Licata with a single to left, but the rally ended there as the Falcons recorded the final out to secure the 9-4 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• After recording a hit in each game, Francesca Licata extended her hitting streak to eight games.
• Kate Julian's five strikeouts in game one marked the third time this season she has recorded five or more strikeouts in a single outing.
• In game two, Licata, Lynsey Kay, and Samantha Kelepouris each turned in multi-hit performances, with Kay and Kelepouris both driving in runs.

Up Next

The Pride have a quick turnaround as they return home to Weston to host Rivier University in a doubleheader, with first pitch set for 11 a.m. tomorrow.