WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (April 28, 2023) – Senior Olivia Warner totaled six RBI on two hits, as well as scoring two runs as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team clinched a MAC Freedom playoff berth after sweeping a doubleheader against Wilkes 7-5, 10-2 (F/5) on Friday afternoon at Waterfront Park.

Warner's big day helped the Ducks (18-18, 10-6 MAC Freedom) clinch the #4 seed in MAC Freedom playoffs for the second straight season. Also for the second straight season, the Ducks finished with a .500 regular season record. They will take on Arcadia in the first round. Wilkes (18-18, 3-13 MAC Freedom) finished eighth out of nine teams in the conference. The Colonels started off conference play 3-1 before losing their last 12.

"We've been talking all season long about positives, negatives, etc.," head coach Emily Kaczmarek The beauty of today and clinching this spot, is much like every other postseason team, it is a fresh start and we have an opportunity to be the team we want to be. We will start to tackle that tomorrow, bright and early.

The Ducks came into the day with some nerves over the postseason, as Wilkes scored four runs in the first two innings. If the Ducks were swept, they would have missed out on the postseason. All four runs came off of first-year Ella Tozduman, who lasted just 1.1 innings. She allowed six hits.

The Ducks inched closer to Wilkes in the second as they scored two runs. With junior Jessica Guerrero on third and senior Meg Halloran on second, the Colonels had a tough time fielding a slow roller by Warner. The throw from the third baseman was over the head of the first baseman, allowing Halloran to score. Guerrero had already reached home as the home side cut the deficit in half.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Colonels tacked on their fifth run in the fifth inning. AJ Bryfogle tallied an RBI single. 

Running out of time, Stevens put some runs together in the fifth to get back in the game. Halloran reached base on a bunt to get things going for the Ducks. With two outs in the inning, Halloran was able to steal second to get a runner in scoring position. Sophomore Madison Subbiondo singled to center to score Halloran, as she replaced her on base after advancing on the throw. Senior Alex Schoellig copied Subbiondo in the next at-bat as the Ducks got within one heading to the sixth.

Trailing by one, fifth-year Lexi Gregule kicked off the sixth by doubling down the left field line. First-year Emily Wohlleber then singled to put runners on first and second. Halloran once again found her way into the mix as she singled up the middle and advanced to second on the throw, scoring Gregule and senior Elise Fauske, who was pinch running for Wohlleber, to third. In the next at-bat in an 0-1 count, Warner delivered with a base knock up the middle to bring home both runners to go up 7-5. The Ducks would close things out in the seventh as they clinched their playoff berth in game one. 

First-year Kyra Fischer (2-1) earned her second career win in as many appearances. She was excellent throughout the day in relief, allowing one run on seven hits. She also struck out one batter.

The second game was much better for the Ducks as they built off of their momentum from their win in the first. Warner continued her successful day by belting a ball over the center field wall as she tallied her first career homer, also scoring Guerrero. The Ducks led 2-0 after one.

With two outs in the second and Guerrero and Halloran on base, Subbiondo delivered a clutch single to left to score both runs and double the Stevens advantage.

In the bottom of the third, the Ducks loaded the bases with Gregule, Guerrero, and junior Carolyn Yahn. That brought up Halloran once again, who hit another single up the middle that brought home two runs. Warner then grounded into an RBI in the next at-bat as the Ducks led 8-1 after three.

Despite Wilkes scoring once in both the third and fourth innings, the Ducks continued their scoring frenzy by adding two more in the fourth. First-year Joy Pikul and Gregule each delivered RBI in the inning as the Ducks won 10-2 after just five innings. 

Senior Erin Kreis pitched a great second game, lasting all five innings. She gave up two runs on five hits and matched her season high in strikeouts with six.

Up Next: Softball earns the #4 seed in the MAC Freedom tournament and will take on #5 Arcadia on Thursday, May 4. The tournament will take place in Doylestown, Pa. the home of Delaware Valley. The two teams split the matchups earlier this season. Times are TBA. Links for live stats and video will be posted to StevensDucks.com.