Amanda Schweitzer collected her 100^th hit and followed that with a two-run homer to drive in the deciding runs to help St. Thomas Aquinas College post a 5-3 victory over host University of Bridgeport today in the first game of a pivotal East Coast Conference softball doubleheader at Seaside Park.

Bridgeport won the second game, 5-0, to maintain its hold on first place in the ECC with a 13-4 record with STAC in second place at 15-5 (21-7 overall).

Schweitzer, a senior tri-captain, joined teammate Missy Sadler in the prestigious 100-hit club with a long double to left centerfield. She is the 29^th player to reach the milestone in the program’s 41-year history. Schweitzer came around to score on Elise Oliande’s run-scoring double. Back-to-back doubles by Sadler and Amanda Castro broke a 2-2 deadlock in the fifth inning before Schweitzer’s long homer in the seventh inning plated two insurance runs that helped stave off Bridgeport’s last-inning rally.

“Amanda has been important to this program in so many ways and she worked hard to reach this level of excellence,” said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. “She responded today with a great performance in a very important game. I am so happy for her.”

Carissa Della Vecchia won her 11^th game in 13 decisions. Sadler (center field), Schweitzer (catcher) and Sarah Williams (third base) played well defensively. Castro continued her hot hitting with three hits.

STAC travels to Molloy College tomorrow (Wednesday, April 28) for another ECC twin bill that begins at 4 p.m.