WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (March 12, 2024) – Junior Emma Ruiz scored five runs, while junior Rachael Prescott tallied four RBI, as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team beat Hunter College 9-1 (F/5) in game one and 10-7 in game two Tuesday night in a non-conference doubleheader. The games were moved from February 28.

Sophomore Kyra Fischer improves to 4-3 with the game one victory. She pitched all five innings for the Ducks, allowing one run on four hits. Fischer also struck out four batters.

Sophomore Ashley Allen (3-0) earned the victory for Stevens in game two. She pitched four innings, allowing six hits and five runs. Sophomore Ella Tozduman pitched three innings in the game, allowing two runs on four hits.

The Ducks head into MAC Freedom play 7-3 after going 2-2 in their last four. The Ducks finished fourth in the MAC Freedom last season, earning them a spot in the postseason tournament. It will be the first away game for Stevens since February 18. With the two victories, Stevens is now 14-3 all-time against Hunter, winning the last seven. Hunter starts the year 0-2.

The Rundown (Game 1)

• The Ducks scored three runs in the first to open up an early lead. After jRuiz singled and stole second, first-year Maria Dante hit a ground-rule double to center that brought Ruiz home. Junior Madison Subbiondo would later reach second after a fielder's choice and an error, while Dante moved ahead to third. Prescott would bring both base runners home with a double to center.
• Hunter tacked on one run in the top of the second.
• Similarly to start the first, Ruiz reached two bases, as this time she reached on an error before stealing second. Junior Megan Curtis would ground out to second base in the next at-bat, but that allowed Ruiz to move to third. She would then score on a sacrifice fly from Dante.
• To start out the third Prescott reached on an error before being pinch run for by first-year Jay Morales. First-year Elizabeth Kirstein singled and reached second on the throw, allowing Morales to score from first on the play. Later in the inning, first-year Emma Quattrochi would double down the left field line to score Kirstein and sophomore Joy Pikul, who had reached on an error, to put the Ducks up 7-1.
• The fourth inning started with first-year Adrianna Albano doubling followed by sophomore Emily Wohlleber taking a four-pitch walk, as the Ducks immediately had runners on first and third. Both would then advance a base on a passed ball. Prescott grounded into a double play in the next at-bat, but Albano came home, making the score 8-1 Ducks.
• Graduate student Elise Fauske was able to hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the fifth. She would steal third as well. With Ruiz up to bat next, she hit a sacrifice fly to center, which allowed Fauske to come home as the Ducks secured their first five inning win of the year.

The Rundown (Game 2)

• Ruiz walked to start the bottom half of the first inning. She moved to second after Fauske delivered a sacrifice bunt. Prescott was next up, and she grounded out on the first pitch, but advanced Ruiz to third. Subbiondo then recorded a single to center, allowing Ruiz to score and giving the home side a 1-0 lead.
• Hunter scored three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead.
• With two outs in the bottom of the second inning and Albano on first, the first-year then stole second to put a runner in scoring position. Quattrochi took a nine pitch walk. In the next at-bat, Ruiz doubled to center, which scored both runners. After a Fauske walk, Prescott delivered a single to score Ruiz. Fauske advanced to third on the play, while Prescott made it to second. Subbiondl would then clear the bases with a double to cap off a five-run inning. Stevens led 6-3.
• Morales pinch ran for Wohhleber after she singled to left center. Morales then stole second, and then they advanced to third after a single from Pikul. With Albano at the plate, Morales would reach home.
• Hunter scored two more in the top of the fourth to make the score 7-5.
• With one out and runners on first and second in the fourth, Subbiondo hit an RBI single to score Fauske. Kirstein took a nine-pitch walk later in the inning with the bases loaded as they went ahead 9-5.
• Hunter picked up two more runs in the top of the fifth.
• Stevens would add another run in the fifth. With Ruiz on third, Dante recorded another RBI as she singled to center.

Top Performers

• Ruiz scored five runs, had two hits, and tallied three RBI.
• Prescott had four RBI, two hits, and scored one run.
• Subbiondo scored two runs, added three hits, and batted home four.
• Dante tallied three RBI, two hits, and scored once.
• Fauske scored three runs.
• Ruiz stole three bases, while Morales stole two. The Ducks as a team totaled 14.

For the Opponents

• T'ea Panagakos (0-1) lost game one. She pitched 2.1 innings and allowed seven runs on six hits.
• Alyssa Curiale (0-1) took the loss in game two. She gave up six runs on three hits, along with walking four.
• Nicole Bowe had three hits, two RBI, and scored twice.
• Johany Galva had two hits and one RBI.
• Olivia Palumbo scored three runs and had two hits.

Around the MAC Freedom 

• Arcadia 3, Geneva 0 F/MON
• Arcadia 2, College of St. Scholastica 1 F/MON
• FDU-Florham 6, Notre Dame of Maryland 4 F/MON
• FDU-Florham 1, Gwynedd Mercy 12 F/MON

• Softball begins MAC Freedom play this Saturday as they visit No. 19 Lebanon Valley for a doubleheader. The games are set for 1 and 3 p.m. It will be the first meetings between the teams. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.