DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (May 4, 2023) – Fifth-year Meg Halloran recorded two hits across two games to bring her career hit total to 198 career hits, which matches the program record. However, the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team has been eliminated from the MAC Freedom Tournament after losing to Arcadia 5-3 and Lycoming 3-2 on Thursday afternoon.
Halloran broke Gavriella (Risman-Jones) Everett '16 for the program record for hits with 199. Halloran tallied a total of 58 hits this year, which is the most in any campaign in her career. Stevens finished the season 18-20 and had a 10-6 record in MAC Freedom play.
Unfortunately, we didn't play our best softball when it mattered the most," head coach Emily Kaczmarek said. "We had every opportunity to come out with two wins today, we just couldn't execute. The outcome aside, this was a really special group this year! The graduating seniors have had some outstanding careers and accomplishments. I'm proud of them, and grateful for all they've given to this program in their time here. They have so much to look forward to as they open a new chapter and join the alumni on the other side."
In the first game against Arcadia, the two teams held each other for the first two innings. In the top of the third, the Knights struck for three runs as Megan Sooy hit a three run homer to propel Arcadia into the lead.
The Ducks responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. With an out in the frame, sophomore Madison Subbiondo homered to left field to give some momentum back to the Ducks. In the next at-bat, senior Olivia Warner reached on an error and senior Elise Fauske pinch ran for her. Fauske would later score in the inning as the Ducks got back in the game.
In the top half of the fifth, Arcadia added another run to extend their advantage back to two.
Stevens loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Rachael Prescott led off with a walk, followed by singles from junior Jessica Guerrero and Halloran. Subbiondo then recorded her second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to score senior Lexi Gregule, who was pinch-running for Prescott. The Ducks would not be able to cash in anymore runs in the inning.
The Knights tacked on one more run in the sixth as they were able to capture the upset win. Juliana Presto (1-0) pitched the whole game for Arcadia. She only allowed three runs on five hits. She struck out five Ducks.
Senior Erin Kreis (0-1) also pitched the full game. She allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits. She struck out three and walked three.
Lycoming matched up with the Ducks in game two after they dropped their opening game to King's 6-1. The Warriors struck right away, taking a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
Stevens answered right away in the top of the second. Sophomore Emma Ruiz drew a leadoff walk and later made her way to third in the inning. With two outs, Fauske reached on an error by Lycoming, which allowed Ruiz to score and tie the game at one.
After a scoreless third, Lycoming regained their one run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Needing another response, the Ducks delivered and tied things up in the fifth. With two outs, Guerrero singled to center field. Halloran then followed that up with a triple as the Ducks once again responded to a Lycoming run.
The Warriors answered themselves in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly. That run would prove to be the deciding run as Lycoming remained alive in the playoffs while the Ducks headed home.
Kylie Russell (1-1) pitched the whole game for Lycoming. She gave up two runs on five hits. She struck out three batters.
First-year Kyra Fischer (0-1) took the loss in game two in relief. She pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed one run on one hit. First-year Ella Tozduman earned the start and gave up two runs on five hits while striking out three in 3.2 innings of work. Kreis also made an appearance and only gave up one hit in 1.2 innings.
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