The New York University softball team, playing in its first-ever postseason tournament, won both of its games on the first day of competition at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Championship, which is being held on Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ.
The Violets (25-15), seeded #2 in the four-team, douible-elimination tournament, defeated #3 Rutgers-Newark University 5-0 and #1 Stockton 5-2 on Saturday. They now face either Farleigh Dickinson University-Florham or the host Ospreys on Sunday at noon. A win would clinch the title, while a defeat would result in one more game, winner-take-all.
"We're excited to move on and play for a championship tomorrow," said Head Coach
Now-Allah James. "We did everything well today and had some really big hits at the right time. It was a great day for us all-around."
Karissa Zubulake was dominant in the opener, pitching the complete-game shutout. She allowed only three hits and recorded two strikeouts.
"Karissa was awesome out there," added James. "She threw a great game and made some really big pitches when we needed her to."
Offensively, the Violets' attack was spread out among several players, as five had two hits each and five recorded a RBI.
In the second game, NYU took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-out double by
Sage Scheiwiller. The score remained the same until the Violets exploded for four runs in the top of the seventh, the biggest blow coming on a two-out, two-run double by starting pitcher
Diana King. King went the distance for NYU, allowing two runs in the bottom of the frame but holding on for her team-leading eighth win of the season.
"Diana picked up where Karissa left off in game one," explained James. "She threw very well and chipped in offensively, as well."
HIGHLIGHTS:
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Dakota Damiani recorded a pair of doubles in the game-one victory.
- King and Scheiwiller each hit a double in game two.
- King, Damiani and
Molly Webber each had four hits on the day.
The Violets' path to their first-ever championship continues at 12pm on Sunday. NYU will take on the winner of the 10am contest between FDU-Florham and Stockton and will only need to win once to secure the title, while their opponent will need two victories.
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