The New York University softball team was defeated by Brandeis University and Emory University at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship in Altamonte Springs, FL, on Wednesday, March 9.
The Violets (2-6, 1-3 UAA) fell to Brandeis (4-4, 2-1) 7-3 in the first game and 4-1 to Emory (15-1, 4-0) in the nitecap.
"We didn't hit enough today to win," said Head Coach
Now-Allah James. "If you don't score runs, you're not going to win games."
NYU fell behind 3-0 in the opener before scoring two in the bottom of the fourth. Designated hitter
Dakota Damiani started the rally with a one-out single before
Claire Stefanelli doubled her to third.
Marisa Bella then knocked in both runners with a two-out double.
After the Judges scored two in the top of the fifth,
Karissa Zubulake hit a pinch hit home run in the bottom of the frame to account for the Violets' final run.
Cassi Parulis started the opener and went six innings for NYU, She allowed five earned runs, nine hits and one walk while striking out four.
Against Emory, ranked #4 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), the Violets fell behind 2-0 but rallied in the top of the fourth. With one out,
Kahala Bonsignore reached on an error and
Molly Webber followed with a walk. Stefanelli then singled in front of the plate and the catcher's wild throw allowed Bonsignore to score and Webber to go to third. When
Sydni Holtz walked, the bases were loaded with one out.
However, NYU did not score again after a failed suicide squeeze attempt resulted in Webber being thrown out at the plate and a two-out fielder's choice groundout ended the inning.
"We didn't execute on that play," James explained. "If we get the bunt down we score easily."
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS:-
Diana King went 2-for-4.
- Stefanelli went 1-for-2 with a walk.
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Rachel Fulton added a single and sacrfice bunt.
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Jacqueline Tremblay pitched a scoreless seventh inning and has yet to allow an earned run this season.
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS:- Stefaneli and King had the Violets' only two hits in the game. They each also had a stolen base.
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Olivia Mould pitched a complete game for NYU, allowing only two earned runs. She gave up eight hits and one walk while striking out six.
"Our pitching was solid today, we just didn't execute offensively," James acknowledged. "We didn't do the little things necessary to win."
The Violets are back in action tomorrow at 10:00 am when they face the University of Rochester, also at the Seminole County Softball Complex in Altamonte Springs.
