New Castle, Del. - St. Thomas Aquinas College's record-breaking softball season ended on Saturday in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II East Region tourney.

 

The eighth-seeded Spartans started the day with a dramatic 2-1 win over fifth-seeded St. Anselm College before falling to Assumption University, 14-4, in the semifinals of the four-team, double-elimination tourney played at Asbury Park on the campus of Wilmington University. 

 

For STAC, the loss was a disappointing end to another memorable campaign. The Spartans won 34 games, the most in the 43-year history of the program, that included their second straight East Coast Conference title and another berth in the 64-team national championship tournament. It's the second straight season that the Spartans have advanced to the East Region semifinals.

 

"This team exceeded all expectations and I am very proud of them," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "We had the youngest team in the regional tournament and played against very seasoned and experienced teams that were loaded with seniors and super seniors. After Thursday's loss, we showed great resilience today to beat a top-notch team in St. Anselm. Our performance this season will help prepare our underclassmen for the future."

 

STAC's first game of the day was a powerhouse matchup between conference champs. St. Anselm is a program rich in history including this year's Northeast-10 title and reaching the national championship game in 2018. In a clash between 20-game winners, STAC's Sarah Clancy (21-11) outdueled Haile Hicks (22-7) to eliminate the Hawks and vault the Spartans into the semifinals. Freshman Jessica Feerick's two-run homer over the left field fence on 1-2 pitch in the fifth inning was all the offense that Clancy needed. The senior righty finished with a four hitter and worked out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the sixth inning to preserve her 21st win, the most single-season victories ever by a STAC pitcher. Elyse Marcano (second base) and Eliana Raposo (center field) sparkled with their gloves behind Clancy.

 

In the semifinals, fourth-seeded Assumption (25-15) scored six runs on six hits in the first inning and never looked back. Feerick and fellow freshman Olivia Leon drove in two runs each to pace the STAC offense.

 

Assumption advanced to Sunday's championship round where it must beat top-seeded Wilmington twice to win the regional title. The first game is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.