FLUSHING, N.Y. (Mar. 31, 2018) – Powered by two hits and an RBI from junior Mikayla Newham (Redding, Calif./Yavapai College) in game two and a complete game from junior Yazzy Jameson (San Diego, Calif./Southwestern CC), the Mercy College softball team dropped a 4-0 decision to ECC foe Queens College in game one before earning a 3-2 victory in game two on Saturday afternoon.
The Mavericks (11-6, 1-1 ECC) open ECC play with a split, while the Knights (7-7, 4-2 ECC) have split their last two doubleheaders.
Game 1: Queens 4, Mercy 0
The opening game of the day saw the teams combine for just eight hits and four runs. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third when ToniMarie Valeriano hit a three-run home run to left field to give the Knights a 3-0 lead. Lauren Pascual brought home the fourth run of the inning on a fielder's choice to make it 4-0 after three innings.
Mercy loaded the bases in the fifth inning after a Queens error and hits from senior Allie Pellizzaro (Victoria, British Columbia/Eastern Arizona CC) and freshman Hannah Mueller (Fair Oaks, Calif./Bella Vista), but a strikeout would end the inning keeping the Mavericks off the board.
Valeriano allowed just three hits in seven innings with 11 strikeouts to seal the win for Queens.
Pellizzaro and sophomore Destini Bullock (San Diego, Calif./Helix) went 1-for-3 and Mueller went 1-for-2. Junior Kaylee Stevens (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) made the start in the circle with 2.0 innings pitched and three earned runs allowed to take the loss. Junior Raina Gorman (Ardsley, N.Y./Florida Southwestern State College) tossed four innings with one earned run allowed.
Valeriano went 1-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Knights.
Game 2: Mercy 3, Queens 2
Another low-scoring affair broke out in the nightcap with the teams combining for just five runs and 12 hits. The game was scoreless until the top of the third when Bullock drove home Newham who singled to lead off the inning, making it 1-0.
After a scoreless inning from Jameson, the Mavericks plated another run in the fourth inning when Newham singled home Pellizzaro who led off the inning with a single to shortstop, bringing the score to 2-0.
Mercy tacked on another run in the top of the fifth on an error by the Knights left fielder that allowed senior Skania Lemus (Chula Vista, Calif./Southwestern CC) to score. Queens picked up a run on a Valeriano home run in the sixth to make it 3-1 heading to the final inning.
The Knights scored a run in their final at bat and had the bases loaded but a popup by Valeriano would seal the win as Jameson finished off the victory.
Newham went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Mueller went 2-for-4. Lemus batted 1-for-4 and Pellizzaro went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Senior Cassidy Wootten (Ardsley, N.Y./Monroe College) went 1-for-1 and Bullock recorded an RBI. Jameson went the distance with seven strikeouts and one earned run allowed to pick up her fourth win of the season.
Head Coach Mike Fazio and the Mavericks resume action on Monday, April 2nd when they play at St. Thomas Aquinas at 2:30 p.m.
