WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (March 1, 2024) – Sophomore Kyra Fischer dominated in game one, while senior Jessica Guerrero recorded four hits across the two games, as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team beat New York University 6-0 in game one but lost 6-5 in game two Friday in a non-conference doubleheader. The game was moved from March 3, and the Violets were considered the home team for both matches, despite playing at Weehawken Waterfront Park.

Fischer improves to 2-0 with the game one victory. She pitched seven innings and allowed just five hits and struck out three. Fischer (2-1) would then lose game two in a relief role. Sophomore Ashley Allen earned the start in that game, going 4.2 innings. She struck out three and allowed six hits.

The Ducks are now 3-1, with all the games technically counting as road games. With the split, Stevens is now 10-7 against the Violets. Winning three of the last four. NYU is now 1-1.

The Rundown (Game 1)

• In the second inning, junior Emma Ruiz singled to get the inning going. Junior Rachael Prescott was then hit by a pitch in the next at-bat. A sacrifice bunt from first-year Emma Quattroci advanced both runners. The Ducks then scored on an error in the next plate appearance, which came from sophomore Joy Pikul. Senior Jessica Guerrero would add an RBI single in the inning as the Ducks led 3-0.
• Stevens added an unearned run in the fourth. Prescott reached on a throwing error and then first-year Jay Morales pinch ran for Prescott.  Morales would advance to second on a wild pitch and score on a single from Pikul.
• With one out, Stevens loaded the bases in the top of the sixth after three walks. Guerrero was on third and scored on a wild pitch. Ruiz then grounded into a double play, but first-year Elizabeth Kerstein scored to put the Ducks up 6-0.

The Rundown (Game 2)

• Neither team scored for the first four innings.
• Graduate student Elise Fauske reached on a walk in the top of the fifth and then stole second to put a runner in scoring position. Guerrero then singled which moved Fauske to third. Sophomore Emily Wohlleber grounded out in the next at-bat, but Fauske would score on the play to give Stevens the lead.
• NYU matched the Ducks with a run in the bottom of the fifth.
• Prescott walked to start the sixth and junior Megan Curtis pinch ran for her. Junior Madison Subbiondo then singled to move Curtis to second. Ruiz backed it up with a single which allowed Curtis to score. Quattroci would ground out in the next at bat but Subbiondo scored on the play. Pikul then laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Ruiz as the Ducks went up 4-1.
• The Violets scored four in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead.
• Stevens scored a clutch run in the seventh as first-year Maria Dante recorded her first career RBI, which brought Guerrero home. NYU would score once in the bottom of the seventh to claim the victory.

Top Performers

• Ruiz totalled two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI.
• Pikul tallied two RBI across the two games.
• Morales scored their first career run.
• Dante tallied her first career hit and RBI.
• Kirstein recorded two hits and scored a run.

For the Opponents

• Karleigh Kluever (1-0) earned the victory in game two with an inning of relief.
• Lindsey Baron recorded four hits and scored two runs.
• Nicole Cicchetti had two hits in game two.

Around the MAC Freedom 

• Misericordia 1, Shenandoah 2 F/TUE
• Misericordia 2, Shenandoah 10 F/TUE
• DeSales 6, TCNJ 1 F/WED

Up Next

• Softball is back at home on Tuesday, March 5, as the Ducks host Stockton for a doubleheader. The games are set for 3 and 5 p.m. The Ducks are 5-22 all-time against the Ospreys, including losing the last 10. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.