The New York University softball team won both ends of a doubleheader against Hunter College on Tuesday, April 18, at Randall's Island in New York City. NYU won game one 17-4 before completing the sweep with a 6-3 victory in game two.
The Violets improved to 17-11 on the season, while the host Hawks fell to 9-11.
In game one, Hunter led 4-2 through five innings, but the Violets scored seven in the sixth and eight more in the seventh to win the game 17-4.
"We changed our approach at the plate in the later innings," said Head Coach
Now-Allah James. "We waited for the right pitches and didn't chase balls."
The Violets belted out a season-high 22 hits in the victory as
Scarlett Murphy and
Olivia Mould split the pitching duties. NYU also hit a season-high four home runs in the win, with two coming off the bat of
reigning University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week Diana King. The sophomore now has eight home runs on the season, which leads the UAA and ties her for the 21st-most in Division III.
Cassi Parilus tossed her second complete game of the season in the second contest of the afternoon, scattering nine hits and only allowing three runs. NYU benefited from home runs hit by
Ashley Mains and
Carina Sturm in the third inning to turn a tie game into a 5-2 lead. Seven different Violets recorded at least one hit in the win, while
Sage Scheiwiller and Sturm each knocked in a pair of runs.
"Game two was a classic example of what happens when you get good pitching, play solid defense and get some timely hits," explained James
DOUBLE THE FUN:
- King finished the doubleheader 6-for-9 with three runs scored and six RBIs.
"Diana has been on fire lately," added James. "We need her to stay this hot!"
- Scheiwiller combined for five hits in the two wins, with four coming in the opener. The junior also scored twice and knocked in four runs in the two wins.
- Mould came out of the bullpen and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the victory in the first game of the afternoon.
- Parilus struck out a career-high eight batters in game two.
- NYU has now hit a UAA-best 21 home runs on the season, while its pitching staff has allowed just five.
"The home runs have been coming at the right time," concluded James. "We can score in a multitude of different ways. Lately, the homers have been helping us out, but I'm confident we can also play small ball and hit in the gaps if we need to, as well."
The Violets will take their three-game winning streak on the road tomorrow when they travel to Farmingdale, NY, for another non-conference doubleheader. The Violets and Rams are slated to begin the first game at 3:30 pm.
