LOS ANGELES (February 18, 2024) – First-year Elizabeth Kirstein tallied her first career home run in game one, while sophomore Emily Wohlleber recorded two RBI in game two, as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team beat Occidental College 3-1 in game one and 5-2 in game two Sunday in a non-conference doubleheader.

Stevens surrendered just eight hits to the Tigers across the two matches. Sophomores Kyra Fischer (1-0) and Ashley Allen (1-0) each picked up their first victories of the season. The two combined to throw five strikeouts, while walking just one batter.

The Ducks open up the season 2-0 for the first time since 2021, when they played a shortened schedule against mostly MAC Freedom teams due to Covid-19. The Ducks started 3-0 that year, winning all three against King's.

With the two victories, Stevens improves to 2-2 all-time against the Tigers, with the previous two games being played back in 2013. Occidental starts the year 0-2.

The Rundown (Game 1)

• After a hitless first inning for both teams, Kirstein got on the board with her first career hit, singling up the middle to give the Ducks a runner on base. The Ducks would not be able to capitalize though.
• The offense woke up for the Ducks in the fourth inning, as junior Madison Subbiondo walked to open the inning. First-year Emma Quattrochi then grounded into a fielder's choice, which moved Subbiondo to third. Junior Emma Ruiz would walk in the next at bat. Kirstein then stepped up to the plate and blasted a ball to left field that brought everyone home to give Stevens a 3-0 lead.
• Fischer had allowed zero hits up until the fourth inning. The hit was a solo home run for the Tigers, which made it 3-1 Ducks.
• The two teams combined for just two hits the rest of the way. The Tigers made things interesting in the seventh, as they doubled with two outs, but the next batter grounded out to Fischer to end the game.

The Rundown (Game 2)

• Stevens got down to business right away in game one, as senior Jessica Guerrero was hit by a pitch to open the game. Junior Megan Curtis then executed a sacrifice bunt to move Guerrero up a base. Kirstein would then single to left which moved Guerrero to third. Kirstein stole second in the next at bat. In that at bat, Subbiondo singled up the middle to score Guerrero, but Kirstein was out at the plate. Stevens went up 1-0.
• Stevens would triple their advantage in the fourth as they went up 3-0. With one out, first-year Maria Dante singled to right, followed by a single from Ruiz. Wohlleber then doubled to clear the bases and bring Dante and Ruiz home.
• Allen allowed just three hits through the first six innings.
• The seventh provided fireworks for both squads, as they each tallied two runs. With one out, senior Carolyn Yahn was hit by a pitch. Graduate student Elise Fauske pinch ran for her and stole second. First-year Adrianna Albano then singled and advanced to second on the throw, which allowed Fauske to reach third. Kirstein then picked up another RBI, as she singled to bring home Fauske. Albano would score later in the inning on a passed ball.
• The Tigers got on the board in the seventh, but it wouldn't be enough as the Ducks head back to Jersey 2-0. 

Top Performers

• In her debut, Kirstein dropped four RBI, four hits, and scored one run for the Ducks.
• Fischer pitched all seven innings in game one, allowing just two hits and one run with four strikeouts.
• Allen pitched all seven innings in game two, allowing two runs on six hits. Just one of the runs was earned.
• Subbiondo recorded two hits, one RBI, and scored one run.
• Ruiz tallied two hits and scored a run in game two.
• Four Ducks made their collegiate debut.

For the Opponents

• Philycia Pedrosa homered in game one.
• Evelyn Lorch had the only other RBI on the day for the Tigers.
• Occidental used four pitchers. Zada Day-Adams and Ellery Mitchell each took loses on the day.

Around the MAC Freedom 

• No other teams in action

Up Next

• Softball kicks off the home slate with a doubleheader versus Hunter on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The Ducks are 12-3 all-time against the Hawks, including winning the last six. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.