SOFTBALL SWEEPS VIRGINIA STATE
ETTRICK, VA - The Pace University softball team swept the Lady Trojans of Virginia State University in a non-conference doubleheader by scores of 5-1 and 7-4. The Setters improve to 5-3 on the season, while the Lady Trojans fall to an even 8-8 overall.
Virginia State struck first, scoring in the bottom of the second, taking advantage on a pair of Pace errors. Kjirsten Beckstead scored the only run for the Lady Trojans.
Pace would take the lead in the fifth inning, as the Setters batted around the order scoring five runs. Patricia Hurley (Assonet, MA/Apponequet) highlighted the inning with a two-run double that scored Julia Hunt (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) and Kiryl Shada (Pleasant Prairie, WI/Tremper). Carolyn Krause (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) would follow with an RBI single that scored Hurley. Krause later scored on an RBI single by Trish Allutto Matawan, NJ/Matawan Regional).
Shada (3-1) tossed a complete game gem, allowing one unearned run on five hits, while striking out seven in seven innings of work. Shada's counterpart Geneva Washington earned the loss allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits, while giving up a walk a striking out five.
The Setters struck first in game two, scoring four runs in the first two innings. Pace took advantage of a pair of errors in the first that allowed Jessica Bryant (Brownstown, IN/Brownstown) and Allutto to score. Pace would add two more runs in their next inning as Hurely tripled to score Kim Troiano (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst), who tripled to lead off the inning. Krause followed with an RBI single that scored Hurley.
Virginia State would tie the game scoring a pair of runs in the third and fifth innings. The Lady Trojans got on the board in the bottom of the third on an RBI double by Kristie Holbert that scored Judy Hatch. Beckstead later added an RBI single. Virginia State would take advantage of a Setter error in the fifth that allowed Beckstead and Tiffany Coggins to score.
Pace would retake the lead scoring three runs in the sixth as the Setters took advantage of three Lady Trojan errors. Troiano, Kerri McLean (Woodhaven, NY/Archbishop Molloy) and Krause all scored in the inning. Virginia State committed six errors in the game.
Troiano (1-0) earned her first win on the season as she tossed five strong innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits, while walking two and striking out one. Hunt pitched an inning of relief striking out two of the three batters she faced, while Shada earned the save pitching the seventh and striking out one.
Beckstead took the loss for Virginia State as she allowed seven runs (three earned) on eight hits, while striking out four hits in six innings of work. Holbert pitched on inning of relief surrendering one hit and striking out one.
Pace returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, March
24th, as the Setters conclude their Spring Break trip
when they travel to Bowie, MD to take on the Bulldogs of Bowie
State University, in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is
scheduled for 12:00 p.m.