Offensive efforts by Amanda Castro and Rudae Gadson, combined with strong pitching helped St. Thomas Aquinas College post 7-0 and 5-0 wins over D’Youville College today in East Coast Conference softball action at Dobson Field in Buffalo, NY.

 

The victories stretched the Spartans’ win streak to 10 games and kept them unbeaten in ECC action at 6-0. STAC’s overall record increased to 12-2.

 

“We are getting offensive contributions from everyone now and the pitching continues to be outstanding,” said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. 

 

Castro, a junior, continued her hot hitting with four hits in the first game that included a pair of doubles. Gadson’s first collegiate homer - a long two-run shot over the left field fence - keyed a four-run rally in the seventh inning that broke open the game. STAC’s Emilee Mayer, Missy Sadler and Amanda Schweitzer had two hits each. 

 

Junior Carissa Della Vecchia posted her seventh win and third shutout of the season. She allowed only three hits while striking out 10 and not walking a batter.

 

Fellow lefty Paige Toothaker followed with a  two-hit shutout in the second game. She retired 13 batters on infield grounders. Toothaker was supported by an offense that built a quick 2-0 advantage in the first inning on Nikki MacDonald’s two-run single to center field. 

 

Sadler’s long two-run double over the centerfielder’s head sparked a three-run surge in the sixth inning. Sadler and Kim Astrologo finished with two hits each and Della Vecchia added a double and two runs scored. 

 

STAC takes on D’Youville College again on Sunday, April 17 in an ECC doubleheader that begins at 2 pm.