Weehawken, N.J. – Needing two wins to clinch a spot in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Tournament, the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team used clutch hitting to take game one before Kyra Fischer twirled a gem in game two, as the Ducks swept FDU-Florham on Friday.

The Ducks (24-14, 9-5 MAC Freedom) topped FDU (22-12-1, 10-4 MAC Freedom) 8-0 in five innings before edging the Devils 1-0 in game two.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Stevens wasted no time in the opener, putting a run on the board in its first at-bat. Allison Mitloff singled and stole second out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup, and Carmelita Murphy-Brown brought her home with a knock through the right side. Jessica Hsu and Isabela Lipsky followed with singles to load the bases, but FDU turned a 4-3 double play to end the threat.

The Devils put a runner on third in the third after a leadoff single and two groundouts, but a pop-up to first base ended the inning. Stevens added to its advantage in the home half of the frame, as Emma Quattrochi walked to lead off. After a stolen base and groundout, Murphy-Brown drove her in with a run-scoring groundout. FDU singled with one out in the fourth, but Murphy-Brown flashed the leather at first to start an inning-ending double play, fielding a ball near the line, stepping on first, and throwing to Riley Lawrence for the 3-6 twin killing.

The Ducks added two runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 4-0. Lipsky led off with a ground-rule double to left-center, and walks to Madison DiSarno and Kacey DiPasquale loaded the bases. After an out, Lawrence singled to left for one run, while Quattrochi added an RBI on a fielder's choice.

Stevens broke the game open with a four-spot in the fifth. Murphy-Brown singled to lead off and moved to third on a double by Hsu. Lipsky was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and DiSarno delivered a two-run single to center. DiPasquale reached on an infield hit, and Isabelle Won walked to force in another run. Pinch-hitter Maria Dante followed with a fielder's choice that scored DiSarno, completing the five-inning shutout.

In game two, FDU threatened in the second with a leadoff double. Fischer recorded two pop-ups before ending the frame with a three-pitch strikeout. The Ducks had their chance in the bottom half, as Lipsky walked and Won singled with one out. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners up, but a groundout ended the inning.

FDU's best chance came in the fourth, putting two on with two outs via a single and a walk. Fischer induced a ground ball to third to escape the jam. Stevens threatened again in the bottom half, as Won and Angelique Ceballos-Cardona singled with two outs, but a strikeout kept the game scoreless.

The Ducks broke through in the fifth. Mitloff tripled to left field, and Murphy-Brown followed with a ground ball to second. The throw home was not in time, as Mitloff slid in safely for the game's lone run.

The senior right-hander needed just seven pitches in the seventh to close the door, inducing a groundout to third for the playoff-clinching out.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Murphy-Brown, Hsu, and Lipsky each had two hits in game one.
• DiSarno joined Murphy-Brown with two RBIs in the opener, as eight of nine starters recorded at least one hit.
• Hsu tossed a five-inning complete-game shutout, allowing two hits with two walks and one strikeout.
• Quattrochi recorded her 100th career hit with a single in the third inning of game two.
• Mitloff and Won each had two hits in game two.
• Fischer, making her final start at Weehawken Waterfront Park, threw a complete-game shutout, allowing two hits and one walk with two strikeouts. She moved into a tie for third all-time with her 32nd career victory, matching current assistant coach Christine LaRochelle.

UP NEXT
The Ducks will open the MAC Freedom Tournament on Thursday. Time, location, and opponent will be determined following the conclusion of the regular season.