WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (April 2, 2023) – Junior Jessica Guerrero scored four runs, had three hits, and tallied three RBI as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team split a pair of games with DeSales, winning the first 6-5 and losing the second 6-3 in a MAC Freedom doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Weehawken Waterfront Park. The games were originally supposed to be played on Saturday, April 1, but were moved due to inclement weather .

The Ducks now sit in fourth place in the MAC Freedom standings as they have a 4-2 conference record and a 12-10 overall record. DeSales sits two spots below the Ducks as they are an even 3-3 in conference play and 12-6 overall. Stevens is now 6-4 all-time against the Bulldogs.

Along with Guerrero, fifth-year Meg Halloran had a great day at the plate. She totaled five hits across the two games. Senior Olivia Warner tallied two RBI on the day.

"Tough split for us," head coach Emily Kaczmarek said. "I am not pleased with our defense. We need to mentally show up and make the plays we're supposed to make. Fortunately, we have some practice days ahead to reprogram, challenge ourselves and prepare for our upcoming conference doubleheader against Misericordia."

The Ducks were able to strike early on in game one to instill confidence into the side for the day. After a leadoff walk from Guerrero, she was able to steal second. Halloran then dropped a base hit bunt and was able to make it second on a DeSales error. Guerrero scored on the error to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the Ducks continued to roll as they added two more runs. Guerrero singled and Halloran followed with a bunt single to put two runners on base. With one out, Warner delivered an RBI single to double the Stevens lead. Sophomore Madison Subbiondo hit an RBI double later in the inning to score Warner.

The next inning proved to be another big inning for the Ducks. Graduate Siobahn Cottell led off and in a single. Senior Alex Schoellig then delivered a sacrifice bunt to push Cottell to second. Sophomore Emma Ruiz then hit a hard ball to right to drive home Cottell. In the next at-bat, Guerrero hit a homer to center field to give the Ducks a 6-0 advantage.

DeSales made things nervy for the Ducks down the stretch. After not scoring for the first six innings, the Bulldogs tallied five runs in the inning. First-year Ella Tozduman (6-3), who started the inning, was pulled with no outs and no runs on the board. She later entered and was tasked with a one-out bases loaded scenario. She was able to get out of the jam, striking out the last Bulldog batter as Stevens hung on to win game one.

Tozduman pitched all but one-third of an inning. She gave up two runs on six hits and struck out four. First-year Ashley Allen lasted only a third of an inning. She gave up three runs on three hits.

Alanna Hartzell (3-3) pitched three innings. She gave up four runs on six hits in the losing effort.

Building off of their momentum from the end of the first game, DeSales blew the doors open in the top of the first inning as they scored three runs to total eight across the last two innings of play. They would also add two in the top of the second inning to give them a 5-0 advantage.

With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, Cottell hit a double to immediately put a runner in scoring position for the Ducks. Schoellig then hit a single to score Cottell and erase the zero on the board for the Ducks.

Stevens struck again in the bottom of the third inning. After a Guerrero single, Halloran laid down a bunt single. Ruiz then followed that with a single to load the bases. Warner then reached on a fielder's choice as Guerrero was able to score.

DeSales earned an insurance run in the top of the seventh. The run put their lead up to four at 6-2.

The Ducks tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh but fell short. Cottell was able to get a leadoff single. Schoellig then had a sacrifice bunt to advance senior Elise Fauske, who pinch ran for Cottell. First-year Joy Pikul then grounded out but advanced Fauske to third. Guerrero reached on an error to score Fauske, but that was the only run the Ducks were able to score in the inning as they split with DeSales.

Senior Erin Kries (3-6) pitched one inning. She gave up three runs on three hits. First-year Kyra Fisher pitched six innings. She allowed three runs on four hits and struck out three batters.

Rachel Lowry pitched all seven innings for the Bulldogs. She allowed three runs on nine hits. She struck out three Duck batters and walked one.

Up Next: Softball continues MAC Freedom play as they visit Misericordia for a doubleheader on Friday, April 7, in Dallas, Pa. Game times are set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Ducks are 3-3 all-time against Misericordia. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.