MADISON, N.J. (March 23, 2023) – First-year Ella Tozduman pitched seven innings in the Ducks first victory on the day, only giving up one run on three hits while recording a career high seven strikeouts, while Junior Jessica Guerrero totaled five hits and two RBI across both games as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team swept FDU-Florham 7-1 and 9-2 Sunday afternoon in a MAC Freedom doubleheader at McManus Field.
The Ducks scored 15 of their 16 runs in just three innings on the afternoon as they improved to 8-8 on the season and 3-1 in MAC Freedom play. Senior Olivia Warner had four hits across the two games while also adding two RBI and a run scored. Fifth year Meg Halloran scored twice while having two two hits and three RBI in game two. She also added a hit in the first game.
Jamie Cardello drove in a pair of runs for FDU-Florham, who concluded the day, 7-4 and 0-2 in the MAC Freedom. Stevens has won eight of the last ten meetings between the two sides.
After two scoreless innings to start the first game of the doubleheader, Stevens exploded for six runs in the top of the third. Guerrero got on base in the leadoff spot via an FDU error, and then advanced to second via another error. Halloran reached on a fielder's choice in the process. Sophomore Rachael Prescott was up next, but she popped up to second base. She advanced both runners. Warner stood in the batter's box next and delivered an RBI single. Graduate student Siobhan Cottell reached on a fielder's choice in the next Duck at-bat as they kept the train rolling. Halloran scored to put the Ducks up 2-0. The first-year Emily Wohlleber then followed that up with a double down the left field line to clear the bases and put the visitors up four. With two outs and Wohlleber on third, senior Alex Schoellig hit a double to score Wohlleber. Sophomore Emma Ruiz then hit an RBI single to cap off the scoring plays for the Ducks in the third.
FDU-Florham was able to score one run in the fourth off of Tozduman, but that was all they were able to get on the day. She struck seven batters and only walked two as she earned her fourth career win (4-3). Ciara Hoffman (3-2) was the only pitcher to feature for the Devils. She allowed ten hits and seven earned runs on the day.
Game two started off similar to game one, as both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings. The Ducks then jumped on the Devils for four runs to give them a 4-0 lead. Fifth-year Lexi Gregule reached base on a single, stole second, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch to get Stevens a runner in scoring position. After a walk from Ruiz, Guerrero hit an RBI single to score Gregule and advance Ruiz to second. With two outs in the inning after Ruiz got caught stealing, the Ducks rattled off three straight base hit RBI courtesy of Halloran, Prescott, and Warner to close out the scoring in the fourth for the Ducks
Stevens added five more runs in the sixth inning to push their advantage to nine. The Ducks led the inning off with two walks, one from Wohlleber and one from Gregule to put two runners on base. Later in the inning with two outs and runners on second and third, Guerrero delivered an RBI single to put the Ducks up five. Halloran then followed that up with a two RBI single to give the Ducks a seven run advantage. Prescott and Cottell each recorded RBI singles in the next at-bats as the Ducks opened up their biggest lead of the game.
FDU-Florham responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to seven. Cardello drove in the only runs for the Devils in the game.
Senior Erin Kreis (2-5) earned the victory in game two. She pitched five and a thirds innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. She also struck out four FDU batters. First-year Ashley Allen pitched 1.2 innings and allowed only one hit in relief.
Bianca DiSanto (1-2) pitched just under five innings and allowed four runs on nine hits. She walked two and earned one strikeout.
The Ducks earned their third doubleheader sweep on the season and their first in MAC Freedom play. The last conference sweep the Ducks recorded was against Delaware Valley last April.
Up Next: Softball returns home on Tuesday, Mar. 28 for a doubleheader against Montclair State. Game one is set for 3:00 p.m., with game two slated for 5 p.m. The Ducks are 0-2 all time against the Red Hawks, scoring only one run. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.
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