Amanda Leone, Caitlyn Francoeur and Ashley Landolina hit home runs to power the St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team to a rain-soaked 15-11 win over the New York Institute of Technology today in an East Coast Conference game at Spartan Field. The second game of the doubleheader was postponed due to the weather conditions.

The victory increased STAC's overall record to 11-10 and 4-1 in the conference while NYIT fell to 6-10 overall and 0-3 in the conference.

"We prevailed despite the challenging weather conditions," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "The big first inning was the difference in the game."

The Spartans scored eight runs in the first inning, their biggest single-inning outburst of the season, to erase a 2-0 deficit. Leone's two-run double to left field and teammates Kelcy McGeehan and Amanda Castro also had RBIs in the offensive erruption.

St. Thomas Aquinas expanded their lead to 12-3 and then fought off several attempted NYIT rallies. Starting pitcher Colleen Borum recorded her eighth win in 10 decisions.

Leone finished with two hits and three RBI while Francoeur (two hits, two RBI) and Landolina (two hits, two RBI) also excelled. McGeehan (third base) and Landolina (shortstop) played well defensively.

STAC will finish the backend of today's doubleheader against the Bears on Monday at Spartan Field, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. The Spartans will then hit the road for a non-conference twin bill in Albany against the College of St. Rose on Thursday, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.