Allison Luzzi's two-out double knocked in the winning run in the 11th inning today to send the host University of Bridgeport Purple Knights to an exciting 6-5 win over the St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team in the opening round of the East Coast Conference playoffs.
The victory propelled second-seeded Bridgeport into the second round on Friday against top-seeded LIU Post, which defeated NYIT, 3-2, in today's other first-round game of the double-elimination tournament. LIU Post will host Bridgeport on Friday at 10 a.m., with the winner earning a spot in Saturday's tournament final, while STAC will face NYIT at 12:30 p.m with the loser of that contest concluding their 2019 season. Another loser's bracket contest is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday to determine the final spot in Saturday's championship match-up.
The win lifted Bridgeport's record to 31-14 while STAC fell to 24-20. STAC remained ranked ninth in the weekly NCAA Division II East Region poll released today.
The Spartans jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first-inning highlighted by Melissa Sadler's (Milton, N.Y.) two-run double to right center field. The Purple Knights tallied single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings to knot the score before Jenna DiLorenzo's solo homer in the sixth inning snapped the tie.
UB added another run in the sixth inning to take a 5-3 lead into the seventh inning. STAC staged a dramatic rally in the seventh inning keyed by Briana Keaveney's (New City, N.Y.) two-run double to left field to tie the score at 5-5.
Bridgeport threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning, but centerfielder Sadler threw out the potential game-winning run with a perfect throw to catcher Amanda Leone (Milford, Conn.) at home plate to gun down the runner tagging up from third base.
The Spartans received a gallant pitching effort from senior Colleen Borum (Mountain Top, Pa.), who struck out four and worked out of numerous jams. Teammate Caitlyn Francoeur (East Bridgewater, Mass.) starred defensively behind Borum at second base.
"This was a very exciting game and our girls showed a lot of character to come from behind and force extra innings," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "Colleen pitched exceptionally well. We had our chances, but couldn't deliver in key situations."
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All games during the championship will be broadcast live on the ECC Network website and the ECC Network app on Apple and Android mobile devices and on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku streaming devices. To read Twitter updates throughout the tournament, follow @ECCSports. To see highlights during the games on Friday and Saturday, follow @ECCSportsNet on Twitter. Tournament recaps, live stats, box scores and all other pertinent tournament information will also be available at the championship central web page.
2019 East Coast Conference Softball Championship
Wednesday, May 2 at highest seeds
Game One: #2 Bridgeport 6, #3 St. Thomas Aquinas 5 (Final/11-Innings)
Game Two: #1 LIU Post 3, #4 NYIT 2 (Final)
Friday, May 3 at LIU Post
Game Three: #2 Bridgeport vs. #1 LIU Post - 10:00 a.m.
Game Four: #3 St. Thomas Aquinas vs. #4 NYIT - 12:30 p.m.
Game Five: Game Three loser vs. Game Four winner - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 at LIU Post
Game Six: Game Three winner vs. Game Five winner -12:00 p.m.
Game Seven: if necessary - 30 minutes after completion of Game Six