WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (April 27, 2024) –  The Stevens Institute of Technology softball team came up just short of a MAC Freedom playoff berth, as they defeated Misericordia 12-4 (F/6) in game one but lost 9-6 (F/8) in game two Saturday afternoon in a MAC Freedom doubleheader.

Sophomore Ella Tozduman (4-5) earned the win in game one. She pitched three and a third inning of relief and gave up just two hits. Sophomore Kyra Fischer started the game and pitched two and two-thirds innings and gave up four runs on five hits.

Fischer (9-12) took the loss in game two. She started the game and was pulled but later re-entered. She pitched five and a third inning and allowed five runs on nine hits. She also struck out four.

The Ducks (16-20, 6-8 MAC Freedom) needed to win both games over Misericordia to secure a berth into the MAC Freedom tournament. They finished in a tie for fourth with FDU-Florham and Delaware Valley, but will finish fifth due to being swept by FDU-Florham earlier in the season.

The Rundown (Game 1)

• Misericordia scored in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.
• The Cougars added three in the third to go up 4-0.
• First-year Adrianna Albano laid down a perfect bunt single in the bottom of the third, which brought graduate student Elise Fauske home to cut into the deficit.
• Stevens surged into the lead into the fourth inning. With two outs in the frame, junior Emma Ruiz hit an RBI double to bring the Ducks within two. Later with runners on third and second, senior Jessica Guerrero brought both baserunners home with a triple to tie things up. Albano then picked up another RBI by bringing home Guerrero as the Ducks suddenly had a 5-4 lead.
• With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, first-year Maria Dante delivered a two-RBI single in a pinch hitting situation as the Ducks went up 7-4.
• Stevens scored five runs in the sixth to end the first game early. All the runs came with just one out. Juniors Madison Subbiondo and Rachael Prescott, along with Fauske, each picked up an RBI in the inning. The win meant that the Ducks would be in with a win in game two due to other results around the conference.

The Rundown (Game 2)

• After two scoreless innings to start the game, Stevens got three in the bottom of the third. Prescott hit an RBI single to score first-year Emma Quattrochi, who started the inning by hitting a ground-rule double to right, as the Ducks went up 1-0. Ruiz would pick up two RBI's in her at bat later in the inning as Stevens led 3-0.
• Misericordia got two back in the top of the fourth.
• Guerrero singled to start the bottom of the fourth and made her way to third after stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Quattrochi hit a sacrifice fly to score her a few batters later.
• The Cougars answered with one in the fifth to make it 4-3.
• Dante picked up another RBI in a pinch hitting scenario, this time scoring Tozduman, who had reached safely earlier in the inning by taking a walk.
• Misericordia scored three in the top of the sixth to take a 6-5 lead.
• Needing one run to stay alive, the Ducks got it in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs in the inning and the bases loaded, the Misericordia shortstop made an error that allowed the Ducks to bring home a run as they tied the game at six.
• The Ducks had Misericordia shut down with the first two outs in the eight, but then dropped a pop fly in the infield that would have ended the inning. The Cougars then added three runs after that to go up 9-6.
• Stevens had runners on first and second, but grounded into a double play to end the eighth, ending the Ducks' season.

• Ruiz had three hits, three RBI, and a run scored.
• Albano scored a run, produced three hits, and two RBI in game one.
• Prescott and Fauske each scored twice, had two hits, and tallied an RBI in game one.
• Guerrero tallied two RBI, two runs scored, and two hits.
• Fauske stole three bases in game one. Guerrero scored two in game two.

For the Opponents

• Jennifer Milisits (6-5) took the loss in game one. She gave six runs on eight hits in four innings of work.
• Sophia DeFebo (4-1) picked up the win in game two. She pitched three and two-thirds innings and gave up one run on six hits.
• Mackenzie Fizer recorded five hits, one RBI, and a run scored.
• Bridget Doherty had four hits, four runs scored, and two RBI.

Around the MAC Freedom 

• Delaware Valley 8, Immaculata 5 F/THUR
• Delaware Valley 2, Immaculata 3 F/THUR
• FDU-Florham 7, King's 6 F/FRI
• DeSales 4, King's 3
• DeSales 6, King's 1
• Arcadia 3, Lebanon Valley 11
• Delaware Valley 5, FDU-Florham 0
• Arcadia 1 Lebanon Valley 0
• Delaware Valley 2, FDU-Florham 7