Duncan, S.C. - Strong pitching performances by Sarah Clancy and Eliana Raposo along with Elyse Marcano's first collegiate home run helped St. Thomas Aquinas College win its last two games in the three-day, six-game Valkyrie Classic in South Carolina on February 2-4.

Clancy's four-hit pitching propelled STAC to a 10-3 win over Mars Hill University (North Carolina) and Raposo followed with a solid mound effort to help the Spartans score a 8-3 win in eight innings over Lynn University (Boca Raton, Florida)

In the win over Mars Hill, Marcano's two-run home run and Tara Hagan's two-run double fueled the offense. Teammates Adriana Coira (three hits) and freshman Aliya Feerick (three RBI) also provided key hits. Raposo was the defensive star behind Clancy with a superb diving catch in centerfield to save two runs.

Against Lynn, Amanda Demmerle's bases loaded walk keyed a five-run rally in the pivotal eighth inning rally. Coira  (shortstop), Leon (catcher) and Diaz (third base) sparkled with their gloves. Demmerle scored an important run after alertly racing from first to third on a passed ball.

The Spartans dropped their first four games in the tourney with two losses at the hands of Converse University (Spartanburg, South Carolina) and setbacks to Mars Hill and Limestone University (Gaffney, South Carolina). Freshmen Leon, Diaz and Jessica Feerick played well.

The Spartans next take the field on February 27 with a non-conference doubleheader at East Stroudsburg University that begins at 1 p.m.