After a rough doubleheader on Saturday that saw two straight victories for the Siena Saints, the Quinnipiac Bobcats looked to rebound on the Senior Day doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.

Before the first game, a special ceremony was held on the diamond to celebrate the on and off field accomplishments of senior outfielder Brighid Douglas, who is the lone graduating senior on the Bobcats softball team this season.

“I think the girls love [Douglas]. She’s always smiling and you can tell that she loves playing the game,” said head coach Hillary Smith. “After she [gets out], she’s sitting there hyping up the next person. I think that speaks a lot about her.”

Douglas is a former 2018 MAAC All-Rookie Team Selectee, and has also been named to the MAAC All Academic Team for the past two consecutive seasons.

Game Three:

Even on Senior Day, the Quinnipiac Bobcats overarching inability to score runs once again cost them late in the game as the Bobcats surrendered four runs in the sixth inning to lose 4-2 against the Siena Saints.

On a day meant to honor Brighid Douglas and her four seasons of service for the Bobcats, it was freshman pitcher Julia Woeste who (rightfully) stole the show early. 

After pitching 10 innings in the two games against the Saints yesterday, including going all seven innings in game two of the doubleheader, Woeste threw another seven innings in this game. This now marks 14 consecutive innings that Woeste has pitched on the mound for this team.

In today’s game, Woeste surrendered four runs (one earned) on five hits, with three walks and zero strikeouts. 

The Bobcats held a 1-0 lead entering the sixth inning thanks to Woeste who hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second to put the Bobcats on top. The Bobcats then tried to cling onto a narrow lead entering the latter half of a game. As we have also seen on numerous occasions, that strategy continues to prove to be easier in concept to pull off than in reality. 

An RBI bunt single by Maritza Diaz, followed by some shoddy defense, put sophomore pinch hitter Kaitlyn Davis to bury the Bobcats for good with a two-RBI double. The double capped off a four-run sixth inning for the Saints as they pulled ahead of the Bobcats 4-1.

An RBI single by Kayla Thomas in the bottom of the sixth gave the Bobcats some light, but they were unable to keep the kindle embers sparking as they dropped their ninth consecutive game in a row. 

Game Four:

After coming up just short in game one on Sunday, the Bobcats entered the rematch against the Saints with a chip on their shoulder, and were ultimately able to triumph over Siena 5-3 for their second win at home this season.

“I think we took a big breath, and it was a relief. We’ve played a lot of close games at home, and we’ve come up short,” said Hillary Smith. “We wanted it so bad, but to get that win against Siena and get it today, for Brighid [Douglas] on Senior Day, that was the biggest thing for us.”

Siena jumped out to a quick one run lead in the first inning, but Quinnipiac was able to retaliate in the bottom of the second thanks to a two-RBI double from catcher Hannah Davis.

Quinnipiac continued to mount an impressive showing at the plate throughout the second inning, as a Gianna Palmisano RBI single and a walk with the bases loaded increased the Bobcats lead to 4-1.

In the top of the fifth inning, Siena started to build momentum following a Maritza Diaz RBI single to cut Quinnipiac’s lead down to two, but Brighid Douglas had something else to say, knocking in an RBI single of her own in the bottom of the fifth to make the game 5-2. No one was going to spoil her Senior Day.

On the mound, first-year pitcher Tori McGraw was able to deliver en route to her fifth win of the season. Through seven innings pitched, she recorded two strikeouts and gave up three runs on thirteen allowed hits, giving her an ERA of 2.00.

In contrast to Saturday’s matchups, Quinnipiac’s first year pitchers McGraw and Julia Woeste looked more comfortable and in control against the Saints. They each turned in strong performances on Sunday, as they both pitched a complete game. Head coach Hillary Smith has been taking notice.

“If you were to tell me in the fall that they would be the two kids throwing the most for us, I wouldn’t have thought so, but injuries played out the way they did, and they both stepped up to the plate,” said Smith. “They’ve shown moments of greatness, and to be able to pitch full games for us, I think it’s only going to make them better.”

Siena was able to tally one more run following Shannon Bonewit’s double in the sixth inning, but the Bobcats were able to hold on defensively and close the weekend out with a major 5-3 victory over the Saints, who currently sit at sixth place in the MAAC.

Every team can face growing pains and developmental challenges when attempting to introduce a new crop of underclassmen players, but in games such as today, head coach Hillary Smith understands the importance of victories while continuing to learn and gain experience as a team.

“At this point, I don’t even want to look at the standings. We’re going to control what we can and play with heart,” said Smith. “As coaches, we know this is kind of a development year for us, being so young. I think overall, they’ve done a great job. I think we’ve learned a lot of things, and in the long run, it’s all going to pay off for this team.”

The Bobcats will be back in action on Wednesday for their final two games of the regular season when they host Fairfield in a double header set for 2pm and 4pm.