The New York University softball team played its final two non-conference games of the 2018 season and took both ends of a doubleheader with Hunter College on Tuesday, April 24, on Randall's Island.
The Violets (19-13) won the first game in extra-innings by a score of 5-3, then used an early offensive barrage to take the nitecap 10-7 over the Hawks (16-14).
In the opener, neither team scored through the first five innings. The Violets finally broke through on
Ashley Mains' RBI double in the top of the sixth, but Hunter immediately tied the game in the bottom of the frame.
NYU again took a lead in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch and a RBI groundout by
Diana King. However, once again the Violets could not hold the advantage as the Hawks scored two unearned runs with two outs to send the game into extra innings.
The Violets were able to plate two runs in the extra frame on RBI singles by
Claire Stefanelli and
Courtney Friday.
Karissa Zubulake, who came on to relieve starter
Cassi Parulis with two outs in the seventh, retired the Hawks without a run in the bottom of the eighth to complete her 1.1 scoreless innings in the circle and pick up the victory.
In the second game, the Violets scored four runs in the top of the first, two in the second and three in the third to produce enough of a cushion to hold off a late Hunter rally. The opening inning included back-to-back home runs by Mains and Stefanelli. Mains also had a RBI double in the second inning.
Samantha Sicignano also had had a big game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored.
King, who homered for the Violets' final run in the fifth, also went 4-for-4, scored four times, and stole two bases. She also picked up the victory with a complete-game outing.
The game was halted after five innings due to darkness.
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:
- Parulis struck out eight batters in her 6.2 innings.
- Mains went 3-for-4.
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Violets pounded out 15 hits in their 31 at-bats (.483).
- Mains finished with three RBIs.
- Friday also had two hits and scored a run.
The Violets travel to Atlanta, GA. this weekend for a four-game series against host University Athletic Association (UAA) opponent Emory University. The teams will play doubleheaders on Friday, April 27, starting at 2:30pm, and Saturday, April 28, beginning at 12:00pm.
