Sparkill, N.Y. - Strong pitching and timely hitting helped St. Thomas Aquinas College register a hard-fought 3-2 win over Mercy College today in the first round of the East Coast Conference playoffs at Spartan Field.
With the win, top-seeded STAC advanced to the next round of the ECC Softball Tournament and will meet the #2 seeded University of Bridgeport on Friday at 8:30 a.m. The Purple Knights defeated Molloy 7-3 in the other opening round match-up. The remainder of double-elimination tourney will be hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas at Spartan Field.
Prior to the contest, all of the pomp and circumstance associated with the postseason was on full display, including the introductions of both teams full rosters, the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by STAC freshman student Anna Vota and the throwing of a ceremonial first pitch by St. Thomas Aquinas College President, Ken Daly, to mark the first-ever playoff softball game played at Spartan Field.
Winning pitcher Carissa Della Vecchia scattered five hits to out-duel Mercy's Alex Benson, who had beaten STAC twice in the regular season. Della Vecchia surrendered single runs in the second inning and seventh inning and benefitted from solid defense from right field Emilee Mayer and center fielder Amanda Demmerle.
"Winning the first game of any double-elimination tourney is important so I'm pleased with today's victory," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "Playoff wins don't come easy and we were able to put together a few key hits for the deciding runs in this afternoon's game."
Della Vecchia and Tara Hagan drove in runs for the Spartans while Rudae Gadson (two hits) and Nikki MacDonald (double) played well offensively.
2022 EAST COAST CONFERENCE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
For More Information, visit the ECC Softball Championship Central
Wednesday, May 4 at Campus Sites
3:00 p.m. - No. 4 Mercy 2 vs. No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas 3
4:30 p.m. - No. 3 Molloy 3 vs. No. 2 Bridgeport 7
Friday, May 6 at St. Thomas Aquinas (Spartan Field)
8:30 a.m. - No. 2 Bridgeport vs. No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Winner Advances to Saturday)
10:30 p.m. - No. 3 Molloy vs. No. 4 Mercy (Loser Eliminated)
TBA p.m. - Winner of Molloy/Mercy vs. Loser of Bridgeport/St. Thomas Aquinas