Regis Battles to Doubleheader Split vs. USJ

WESTON, Mass. — In a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup with the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), the Pride split the doubleheader, taking game one 10-5 before falling 6-3 in extra innings in game two. With the results, Regis moves to 10-19 overall and 7-8 in GNAC play.

Game One, Regis 10-5 USJ

USJ crossed the plate early, opening the game with a hit before capitalizing on a series of defensive miscues to bring home the first run. They added another shortly after to take a quick 2-0 lead.

Lynsey Kay answered for the Pride in the home half of the inning with an RBI single to score Francesca Licata. Regis then made its move in the bottom of the third, as Mel Rees led off with a single before Madi Zancan brought around pinch runner Michaela Edwards to give the Pride a slim lead. Kristen Glavin followed with a two-RBI double to extend the advantage, though she was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple to end the inning.

Back-to-back Blue Jay doubles in the fourth cut the Pride's lead to one, but Regis responded in the bottom half when a Licata groundout plated Avery Simpson to reestablish a two-run cushion heading into the fifth.

USJ recorded two hits in the fifth and turned them into a pair of runs, but the Pride quickly answered. First-year Avery Simpson sparked a two-out rally with an RBI single, followed by RBI knocks from Grace Motto and Licata. Sydney Grund kept the surge going, moving Licata into scoring position before Rees drove her in to cap the rally and give Regis a 10-5 lead.

From there, it was all under control, as Kate Julian and the Pride defense held USJ hitless over the final two innings to secure the five-run victory.

Game Two, Regis 3-6 USJ

Two quick hits from the top of the lineup put runners in scoring position early before Kayla Phelps brought home the first run with a groundout, followed by an RBI single to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. The Pride cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning, as a Grace Motto single plated Madi Zancan.

The Blue Jays answered an inning later with a double to restore their two-run cushion, but Gaspie limited the damage with a strikeout and a groundout she handled herself.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Pride threatened with back-to-back doubles off the bats of Zancan and Kristen Glavin, but USJ's defense responded by retiring the next three hitters to escape the jam.

Regis broke through in the sixth when a sacrifice fly from Glavin scored Samantha Kelepouris to make it a one-run game. An inning later, Madigan Lawler sparked the offense with a single, and pinch runner Michaela Edwards came around to score the tying run on an RBI double by Sydney Grund, sending the game to extra innings.

The game would only need one extra frame, as the Blue Jays scored three runs in the eighth, highlighted by a two-RBI double down the left field line. In the bottom half, the Pride were held hitless, and despite putting runners on the corners, USJ sealed the 6-3 victory with a flyout to right field.

Inside the Numbers

• With her second hit of the day, junior Mel Rees recorded her 100th career hit in the Crimson and Gold.
• Kate Julian earned her eighth win of the season in game one, tossing a complete game with six strikeouts.
• Grace Motto led the Pride at the plate in the opener, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Francesca Licata drove in a team-high three runs.
• The Pride showcased a balanced offensive effort, with six players recording two or more hits as part of a 16-hit performance.
• In game two, Mya Gaspie recorded her 100th career strikeout with her fourth punchout of the contest.
• Five of the Pride's seven hits in the game went for extra bases.

Up Next

The Pride will head to Norwich University this Saturday, April 25 to take on the Cadets in a GNAC doubleheader, with first pitch set for noon.