Carissa Della Vecchia homered in both games and the Spartans’ offense exploded for 23 runs to register 13-0 and 10-4 wins over the College of Staten Island on Thursday afternoon in an East Coast Conference softball doubleheader at Spartan field.

The sweep pushed STAC’s overall record to 17-3 and 11-1 in the ECC.. STAC’s impressive record has attracted the attention of NCAA officials who have listed the Spartans among the 10 top teams in the Division II East Region, which includes 35 teams. The ranking will be used to determine the at-large bids to the East Region tourney, which sends it winners to the national championships.

STAC roared out of the gate today with four runs in the first inning and nine runs in the second inning and the shutout pitching of Della Vecchia and Jai Santiago clinched the win. It was Santiago’s first collegiate win. Della Vecchia homered and tripled twice to pace the offense while Missy Sadler also homered. Senior Amanda Schweitzer added two hits.

In the second game, Nikki MacDonald stroked three hits, scored twice and stole a base to headline the hitting attack. Della Vecchia’s homer and Amanda Castro’s two hits and three RBIs were other hitting stars.  

“Our bats really came alive today,” said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. “

Staten Island dropped to 4-12 overall and in the conference.

STAC hosts the University of Bridgeport on Friday, April 23 at Spartan Field, in an ECC doubleheader that begins at 2:30 p.m.