Senior Day Success! Softball Earns First Doubleheader Sweep of Iona Since 2001

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (May 8, 2022) - Needing a doubleheader sweep to stay alive in the race to clinch a spot Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament, the Saint Peter's University softball team came through in a big way, picking up a 3-1 win in game one and a 2-0 victory in game two to earn a doubleheader sweep of Iona College for the first time since 2001 Sunday at Joseph J. Jaroschak Field on Senior Day.

Scores: Saint Peter's 3, Iona 1 | Saint Peter's 2, Iona 0
Records: Saint Peter's (22-31, 7-11 MAAC) | Iona (21-24, 10-10 MAAC)
Pitchers (G1): W - Nicole Antuna (7-3), L - Kara Zazzaro (11-10), S - Kristen Brennan (2)
Pitchers (G2): W - Sydney Senerchia (5-5), L - Samantha Rieb

Top Performers

• Antuna was once again phenomenal in the circle in the first game, giving up just one run across 6.0 innings while scattering five hits and striking out three.
• With two on and nobody out in the seventh, Brennan came on in relief of Antuna and picked up the save after she stranded the bases loaded.
• Cara McNulty was strong in both contests, combining to go 3 for 6 with an RBI in the doubleheader.
• Katie Sciglimpaglia also had three hits on the day after being honored on Senior Day finishing the doubleheader 3 for 5 with a run scored and a walk.
• Aubrey Ketcham had the biggest hit of game one with a two-run single to give the Peacocks their first lead and later came around to score the third run of the contest.
• Senerchia was dynamite in the circle, tossing her second complete game shutout of the season. In 7.0 innings of work, Senerchia gave up just five hits while striking out two as she became the seventh player in program history to reach 200 career punchouts.
• Brandi Feeney was the lone Peacock to drive in a run in game two with a key RBI single in the sixth inning. Feeney closed the doubleheader 2 for 5 with a double, a stolen base, a run scored and an RBI.
• Olyvia Smith was strong in the second contest, going 2 for 3 with a bunt single.
• Maiah Skakal also had a single hit in both games going 2 for 6 with a run scored.

How it Happened (Game One)

• The first game of the day was a true pitchers duel as neither team was able to get on the board through the first four innings.
• The Gaels were the first to break through in the top of the fifth as Kaylin Flukey hit a solo home run to put Iona on top 1-0.
• In the bottom of the inning, Skakal led the inning off with an infield single, moved to second on a passed ball and advanced to third on another single off the bat of Feeney.
• After Feeney swiped second to put a pair in scoring position, A. Ketcham stepped to the plate and laced a two-run single into right field to put SPU up 2-1.
• Smith then moved Ketcham into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt to set things up for McNulty who came through with an RBI single down the right field line to push the lead to 3-1.
• The score remained the same until the top of the seventh when the Gaels threatened as they loaded the bases with nobody out to force the Peacocks to go to the bullpen and bring in Brennan.
• The junior from Staten Island, N.Y., did not blink, however, getting a fielder's choice groundout and back-to-back flyouts, including one incredible play at the wall by Kourtney Ketcham, to end the threat and seal a 3-1 victory for the Peacocks.

How it Happened (Game Two)

• Another pitcher's duel broke out in game two as the teams were held scoreless through three frames.
• In the bottom of the fourth, Sciglimpaglia ripped a one out single through the left side and moved to second on a groundout from Samantha Miller.
• With two outs, senior Marissa Morales came off the bench to pinch run and moved to third on a single from Skakal.
• With runners at the corners and two outs, Feeney hit a hard grounder the third baseman was unable to handle that scored Morales and put SPU up 1-0.
• The top of the sixth provided a tense moment for Senerchia as two singles and a sac bunt put a pair runners in scoring with one out.
• The senior standout beared down and was able to get a strikeout, the 200th of her career, and a pop-out to McNulty at second to end the threat.
• Feeney provided a key insurance run for the Peacocks in the bottom of the sixth as Sciglimpaglia singled, advanced to second on an error and was able to come home when Feeney ripped a double into the gap in right center to push the edge to 2-0.
• The top of the seventh provided little fireworks as Senerchia worked around a one-out single to pick up the win in the circle, the 11th of her career.

Inside the Numbers

• Head Coach Chris Stelma earned his 50th career win in the doubleheader, becoming the third coach in program history to reach the 50-win plateau.
• The 22 wins for the Peacocks matches the most for the program since 2007.
• Depending on the results of other conference contests, SPU will have a chance to possibly clinch a spot in the MAAC Tournament with a doubleheader sweep tomorrow. 
• Regardless, the seven conference wins are the most of any Peacock team since winning 11 in 2007.
• After a strong day at the plate, McNulty now ranks inside the top-10 in the MAAC in hits, RBI, doubles and sacrifice flies.
• With her seventh win today, Antuna has the most wins of any Peacock pitcher since Tricia Reingle had seven in the 2009 season. 
• A. Ketcham made a number of strong plays at third base once again as she has still made just one error in MAAC games this season. 
• Prior to the contest, the Peacocks honored the senior class of 2022 consisting of Morales, Taylor Rondon, Sciglimpaglia, Senerchia and Anja Solveig Kane. 

From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma, Kristen Brennan and Sydney Senerchia)

• "We couldn't have asked for a better Senior Day! We left the field still alive in the playoff hunt today. No matter what happens tomorrow, I think people know this team means business. Two more!"

Next Up

• The Peacocks will close out the regular season Monday afternoon with a doubleheader against Marist at Jaroschak Field starting at 2:00 p.m.
• With a doubleheader sweep against the Red Foxes and a single loss by Manhattan against Fairfield Monday afternoon, the Peacocks will clinch a spot in the MAAC Tournament for the first time since 2007.

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