HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 20, 2019) – The Stevens Institute of Technology softball team swept The Sage Colleges in an Empire 8 Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Weehawken Waterfront Park. 

Prior to the start of the second game, seniors Julia DeCandia, Marissa Cappello, Katie Tirabassi and Christine LaRochelle were honored for their contributions to the Stevens softball over their four years on Castle Point. 

Stevens improved to 17-13 on the year and 9-1 in the conference, while Sage fell to 11-23 overall and 3-11 in E8 play.

Game One (W, 4-3)
LaRochelle (5-8) struck out five batters on her way to earning the victory of game one. Alicia Swavely (5-3) gave up seven hits in her 6.2 innings as she was handed the loss. 

Sage was the first team to get on the board, but not until the top of the fourth. Amanda Kiriakos began the inning with a single and Lindsey Decker followed with a base-hit to center field. Kiersten Duncan hit the third-straight single of the inning before advancing to second on the throw, pushing Decker to third and allowing Kiriakos to score. Emily Agate brought in the second run with an RBI groundout to give the Gators a 2-0 lead. 

In the bottom of the inning, Tirabassi doubled down the left field line for her first hit of the day. Junior Abigail Circelli brought the senior in as she reached first on a fielding error by Sage's shortstop. 

Swavely hit a leadoff double to open up the fifth inning. Alex Henniger pushed the runner to third on a sac-bunt before Swavely scored on a sac-fly by Lisa Kentris. 

Sophomore Amanda Delorme singled to left field in the Ducks' first at bat in the bottom of the inning and was then sent to second on a sac-bunt by DeCandia. Junior Samantha Schattin followed with her third hit in her third trip to the plate, which allowed Delorme to reach third. Schattin then stole second as freshman Meg Halloran was up to bat. The Oakland, New Jersey native bounced out to the second out of the inning but Delorme was able to score and cut the lead to one. 

Tirabassi tied the game in the sixth with her solo homer over the center field fence before Halloran recorded a walk-off RBI groundout in the bottom of the seventh to give Stevens their first win of the day. 
  
Game Two (W, 2-0)
Cappello (10-3) pitched all seven innings for the Ducks while striking out 12 batters. The Mantua, New Jersey native allowed just one hit to walk away with the win. Katerina Lagace (5-11) was dealt the loss as she gave up 10 hits in her 6.0 innings pitched. 

Circelli gave Stevens their first run of game two with her first career home run on Lagace's first pitch of the second inning. 

Halloran singled to left center and junior Gina DeOliveira walked to put two runners on in the bottom of the fifth. Tirabassi then singled to left center before advancing to second on the throw as Kiriakos quickly sent the ball from center field to home to tag out Halloran. Junior Melissa Alfonso registered the third single of the inning to bring in DeOliveira for the second and final run. 

In the top of the seventh inning, Cappello struck out two batters and was one out away from pitching a no-hitter. With a full count and just one strike away, Ashley Madigan singled down the left field line for the Gators' lone hit of the game. Agate then grounded out to junior Victoria Kapp to end game two.

Inside the Numbers

• Schattin stole two bases in game one. 
• Halloran went 3-for-3 at the plate in game two. The freshman hit two bunt singles and one base hit into the outfield. 
• Kapp scooped up a fair amount of ground balls to record seven assists in the field. 
• Tirabassi registered 11 putouts in game one and Alfonso collected 12 in game two. 

Up Next

• The Ducks host Manhattanville for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 24 at 3 and 5 P.M.

 
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