Behind the pitching of Carissa Della Vecchia and Paige Toothaker, St. Thomas Aquinas College stretched its winning streak to eight games on Wednesday by registering 5-4 and 10-0 wins over Mercy College in an East Coast Conference softball doubleheader at Spartan Field. The Spartans, off to their best start since 2011, lifted their ECC record to 4-0 and overall record to 10-2.
In game one, Della Vecchia excelled on the mound and at the plate. Her dramatic homer with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a 4-4 tie after Mercy had rallied to erase a 4-1 STAC lead. Rudae Gadson and Nikki MacDonald both had doubles to help build the lead before Della Vecchia’s heroics. Della Vecchia struck out nine to push her record to 6-0 on the season.
In the second game, Toothaker was in control from start to finish to record her fourth win in six decisions. Offensively, Missy Sadler’s 100th career hit was the major highlight in the win. Sadler joined the prestigious three-digit club in grand fashion by stroking a three-run double that broke the game open in the third inning. She became just the 28th player in the 41-year history of the program to reach the plateau. Teammates Elise Oliande (two hits), Nikki MacDonald (two runs) and Della Vecchia (two-run double) also starred at the plate.
“We are beginning to show consistency in many facets of the game,” said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. “Carissa had another terrific all-around day and Paige was very effective against a very good offensive team.”
STAC next travels to D’Youville College this weekend for a four-game set in Buffalo, NY. The Spartans will be the visitors for a pair of games on Saturday, April 17, before returning to Dobson Field, this time as the home team on the scoreboard, for a twin bill on Sunday, April 18.