Sparkill, N.Y. - Freshman Amanda Demmerle's three-run triple keyed a six-run, first inning rally to propel St. Thomas Aquinas College to a 7-0 win to salvage a split of a doubleheader with Mercy College on Sunday afternoon in an East Coast Conference softball action at Spartan Field. Mercy won the first game, 7-3.

 

STAC moved to 7-1 in ECC play at 14-13 overall. Mercy fell to 4-6 in the conference and 6-27 overall.

 

Demmerle's long triple to right center field capped a furious surge in the opening inning. Abbie Landrum's run-scoring single and Rudae Gadson's bases loaded walk had helped stake STAC to 3-0 lead before Demmerle's big hit. Senior Amanda Schweitzer's home run over the left field fence in the third inning finished the scoring for the winners. Amanda Castro contributed three hits for STAC. Winning pitcher Carissa Della Vecchia turned in another gem with 12 strikeouts.

 

"I was pleased with the way we bounced back in the second game," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "Our bats came alive in the first inning and Carissa was in control for the rest of the game."

 

Mercy broke open a close game with three runs in the sixth inning to win the first game. Mercy lashed 13 hits in the victory. For STAC, Emilie Olivier hit a two-run home run and Gadson added three hits.

 

STAC next meets Queens College on Monday (April 11) in an ECC doubleheader that begins at 2:30 p.m. at Spartan Field.