Rockville Centre, N.Y. - Sarah Clancy tossed a four-hit shutout to catapult St. Thomas Aquinas College to a 2-0 win over Queens College and earn a berth in the championship round of the East Coast Conference Softball Tournament.

Second-seeded STAC, now 31-22, will meet top-seeded Molloy University on Saturday at noon at Bob Klein Field in the RVC Sports Complex. Molloy defeated STAC, 7-1, earlier in the day in the second round of the four-team, double-elimination tourney. STAC will need to defeat Molloy twice on Saturday to win the title. Queens defeated Mercy University, 2-0, in today's other game.

Clancy's pitching and a clutch two-run rally in the seventh inning on Friday afternoon was the difference for the Spartans. In that fateful inning, freshman Nayah Diaz and Amanda Demmerle each had singles and stolen bases to put runners on second and third. Sophomore Adriana Coira then laced a double to left center field to break the scoreless tie.

Clancy worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth inning with a big strikeout. She received excellent defensive support from several teammates. Aliya Feerick (right field) and Elyse Marcano (second base) sparkled with their gloves and freshman catcher Olivia Leon caught a pop up with her barehand to record an important out.

In the morning loss to Molloy, the Lions scored four runs in the sixth inning to break open a close game.

Saturday's championship round appearance is STAC's third in the last four seasons.

ECC Playoff Schedule (RVC Sports Complex - Rockville Centre, N.Y.)

ECC Softball Championship Tournament Central

Thursday, May 2

Game One: No. 4 Mercy 1 vs. No. 1 Molloy 4

Game Two: No. 3 Queens 3 vs. No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas 4

Friday, May 5 

Game Three: No. 1 Molloy 7 vs. No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas 1

Game Four: No. 4 Mercy 0 vs. No. 3 Queens 2 (MERCY ELIMINATED)

Game Five: No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas 2 vs. No. 3 Queens 0 (QUEENS ELIMINATED)

Saturday, May 6 

Game Six: No 1. Molloy vs. No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas -12 p.m.

Game Seven: if necessary - 30 minutes after completion of Game Six

All games will air live on ECC Sports Network. Match results, recaps, and photos will be posted throughout the day on ECC social media platforms. Be sure to follow the ECC on X, Instagram, and Facebook.