WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (April 26, 2023) – Fifth-year Meg Halloran scored four runs, tallied three RBI, and had two home runs in four hits as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team claimed an important doubleheader sweep of MAC Freedom foe Delaware Valley 3-0, 11-1 (F/5) on Wednesday afternoon at Waterfront Park.

The home runs were the first of Halloran's career as the two bombs helped the Ducks (16-18, 8-6 MAC Freedom) inch closer to a MAC Freedom playoff berth as they sit in fourth place. One win in the weekend series against Wilkes will be enough to get into the play-in game for the Ducks. Delaware Valley (8-26-1, 1-13 MAC Freedom) sit in last place.

"These were big wins today," head coach Emily Kaczmarek said. "We need to continue to focus on the game plan moving forward. There were many positives to take away from today along with some areas to improve upon. Excited to create some momentum here."

The Ducks set the tone for the day in the first inning of game one by scoring early. Stevens led off with singles from junior Jessica Guerrero and Halloran to get traffic on the base paths immediately. Both would move up a base on a wild pitch. Despite senior Olivia Warner flying out into a double play in the next at bat, sophomore Madison Subbiondo drove home Guerrero double to right center.

Stevens doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Alex Schoellig was the home who kicked things off in this inning as she singled to center and then stole second. Sophomore Emma Ruiz then advanced Schoellig to third after she singled as well. Fresh off of reaching the 100 hit milestone last week, graduate Siobhan Cottell laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Schoellig.

Halloran made her way around the bases in inning number five to give Stevens a little more cushion. She singled to lead off and then stole second. Halloran then advanced to third after Warner flew out. Subbiondo then tallied her second RBI of the game on a groundout as Halloran came home.

First-year Kyra Fischer (1-1) earned her first career win in a complete game shutout. She was dominant throughout the day, including having three assists and one put out.  She allowed only one hit and struck out three Aggie batters. Guerrero had a career high eight assists in the game.

With a full count in the second at-bat of game two, Halloran smashed a no-doubter to center field for her first career homer. This put the Ducks up 1-0.

In the second inning, Ruiz was hit by a pitch in the opening at-bat. Cottell then grounded out on another sacrifice bunt while Ruiz made her way to third as she was attempting to steal in the at-bat. Fifth-year Lexi Gregule brought Ruiz home on an RBI groundout to double the Duck advantage.

Stevens put the pedal to the metal in the third inning as they exposed the Aggies, scoring five runs. After sophomore Rachael Prescott singled to lead off the inning, Halloran delivered her second career homer to double the Ducks lead. She drove the ball to center and it bounced off the fence and out of play. The home side tallied four more hits and three RBI, which came from Ruiz, Cottell, and sophomore Megan Curtis.

"What a day for Meg Halloran," Kazcmarek stated. "With that kind of grind, day in and day out, I can't say I am totally surprised."

Delaware Valley got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Madison Donnelly drove in the run on a single, the Aggies only one on the day.

Responding to the Aggies scoring, Stevens took a ten run advantage by scoring four more in the fourth. With one out, Halloran walked as Delaware Valley did not want to see her hit again in the game. She stole second as well. Warner then hit a single to right to score Halloran. Cottell also added another RBI in the inning. Gregule tallied a two RBI double to left to score Ruiz and Schoellig later in the inning. Stevens didn't allow a run in the fifth, so the game ended as the home team led by more than eight after the fifth inning.

First-year Ella Tozduman (8-7) lasted 3.1 innings after earning the start. She gave up one run on four hits and struck out two. Senior Erin Kreis pitched the last one and two-thirds innings, allowing no hits and striking out one Aggie.

Up Next: Softball closes out the season when they host Wilkes University for a MAC Freedom doubleheader on Saturday, April 29 . Game times are set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Ducks are 4-0 all-time against the Colonels. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.