The 2017 New York University softball season came to an end when the Violets dropped a 2-1, 10-inning decision to host Arcadia University in the semifinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship in Glenside, PA, on Sunday, May 13.
The Violets (19-19) came into the seven-team tournament as the #4 seed, while Arcadia (29-13) was the top seed.
NYU fell behind 1-0 when the host Knights scored an unearned run in the third.
Cassi Parulis, who started for the Violets, allowed only that one unearned run. She went 4.1 innings, giving up five hits and a walk while striking out three.
Scarlett Murphy was perfect in relief, holding Arcadia without a hit or walk over her five innings while striking out four.
Despite the outstanding NYU pitching, the hosts were just as strong. Kylee Schwind held the Violets scoreless through the first six innings and allowed only four hits while going the distance.
However, with their season on the line, the Violets tied the game in the most dramatic way possible, as
Jacqueline Finn hit a two-out home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game and send it into extra frames.
"We hadn't been doing anything all game and she put a really great swing on the ball," said Head Coach
Now-Allah James. "She took advantage of the moment and gave us a big jolt."
Neither team was able to push across a run over the next two innings, so the international rule of placing a runner on second base to start an inning began in the top of the 10th. The Violets, however, were unable to plate their runner,
Dakota Damiani.
But, in the bottom of the frame, the Knights were able to capitalize. With no outs, an attempted sacrifice bunt turned into an error, resulting in runners on the corners. Then, a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Bekah Good brought home the winning run.
"Our pitching was great, but we just didn't hit enough to win," James explained. "We were also a little sloppy in the field and running the bases."
NOTES:
- Parulis,
Claire Stefanelli and
Molly Webber also had hits for NYU.
- Finn, Murphy,
Samantha Sicignano, and
Val Schwein also reached base via walk, while
Marisa Bella was hit by a pitch.
- The Violets committed three errors in the contest, while the Knights had none.
- Finn was named to the ECAC All-Tournament Team.
"We lost too many close games this year and I'm thinking about how we can get better," James revealed. "I'm over this already and looking towards next season."
