ORANGEBURG, S.C. (March 8, 2022) - Coming into the game riding a three-game win streak, the Saint Peter's University softball team pushed its winning streak to five to string together the most consecutive victories since 2007 as they knocked off South Carolina State 8-1 in game one and 3-0 in game two Tuesday at Bulldog Softball Complex.
Top Performers
- Dakota Pitts and Cara McNulty both had multi-hit efforts in game one and also recorded at least one hit in game two to lead the way offensively for Peacocks.
- Anja Solveig Kane only had one hit in the first game of the day but was effective nonetheless with four RBI, a double and a run scored.
- Sydney Senerchia tossed 5.0 innings giving up just one earned run on two hits while striking out six to earn the win in game one.
- Maiah Skakal, Olyvia Smith, Solveig Kane and Pitts (2) all recorded doubles in the doubleheader for the Peacocks.
- Kristen Brennan was dominant in the circle in the second game of the day tossing a complete game shutout allowing just two hits and striking out three in 7.0 innings of work.
How It Happened (Game One)
- McNulty started the rally for the first run of the game for SPU with a leadoff single. Though she was retired on a fielder's choice, Pitts would take her place on the basepaths and advance to third on a single from Brandi Feeney and later score thanks to an RBI groundout by Solveig Kane.
- In the fourth, the Peacocks loaded the bases with a Pitts hit by pitch, a McNulty single and a Feeney walk for Solveig Kane. The senior then came through in a big way with a bases-clearing double over the center fielder's head to make the score 4-0.
- After Aubrey Ketcham singled and stole second to put a pair in scoring position, the Peacocks swelled the lead to six after back-to-back RBI groundouts by Lexi Ross and Smith.
- Trailing 6-0, SCSU scored their only run of the game on a leadoff home run but did not add any more as Senerchia sat the next three down in order.
- The Peacocks answered in the fifth with a leadoff single from Skakal, a stolen base and an RBI double from Pitts.
- Feeeney then drove in the eighth and final run of the game for SPU on a fielder's choice two batters later.
- Taylor Rondon would come on in relief in the sixth and not allow a run in the final two innings to seal the 8-1 victory.
How It Happened (Game Two)
- McNulty once again started the scoring for the Peacocks with a two-out single to spark a rally. After an error and a walk loaded the bases, SPU would put two on the board with an RBI walk and hit by pitch from Lexi Ross and A. Ketcham, respectively, to make the score 2-0.
- The Peacocks would add to it one inning later as Skakal hit a one out double and was quickly brought home thanks to a Pitts double one batter later to push the lead to 3-0.
- The three-run cushion was more than enough for Brennan who faced just one batter over the minimum in the contest to throw her first complete game shutout.
Inside the NumbersÂ
- As a team, the Peacocks struck out just once in the entirety of the doubleheader and had just three punchouts in the four-game set against the Bulldogs.
- In total, the SPU pitching staff allowed just one run on six hits on the day to lower their team ERA to an impressive 2.44.
- After going 5 for 8 on the day, McNulty is now the leading hitter on the team with a .372 average. She has four doubles, three RBI and six runs scored on the year.
- The Peacocks now have five different players hitting over .300 this season and all five are also slugging over .400.
- In the four-game set, SPU collected 37 hits and outscored the Bulldogs 30-3 overall.
- With two more doubles today, Pitts now leads the MAAC with six doubles this season while Skakal and McNulty both have four apiece.
- The nine wins are the most for the Peacocks in a single season since 2019 and it is the fastest SPU has reached the nine-win total since starting 9-3 in 2006.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma)
- "Fantastic way to end a road trip. We are very excited with how we play. Congratulations to Kasidy Slusser on her Rookie of the Week honor as well."
- "It was a great trip, but we are looking forward to the friendly confines of the Shack, Rankin Hall and the bubble very soon!"
Next Up
- The Peacocks return to action Friday when they take on Howard University in a doubleheader starting at 10:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C.
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