Quinnipiac women’s softball suffered a tough loss to Sacred Heart as they were mercied in six innings 11-1. The crucial loss endangers them of losing a playoff spot in the MAAC playoffs, as they decline to a 21-18 record. Sacred Heart steadily improves to a 21-29 record, winning five of their last seven games.
It was a bright and sunny day in Hamden, Connecticut with the temperature just over 60 degrees. Quinnipiac was playing their second game of the day against Sacred Heart as the Bobcats previously mercied them 12-1 in five innings in the first game. With this being their second to last day of the season, Quinnipiac would’ve secured a playoff spot if they won these two games.
After a quiet first two innings, the Sacred Heart batters took control of the game at the top of the third. With two outs, Junior second baseman Cierra Bender cracked the ball to deep right-center field for a double to score sophomore first baseman Elle Leckrone who was on second base to take a 1-0 lead. After freshman third baseman Ella Stoops advanced to her base, senior catcher Jelene Davis hit a deep ball to right-center field and scored both base runners, commanding a 3-0 lead after the third inning.
The bats cooled down from game one, as the Bobcats only recorded one hit in the first 3 innings. Quinnipiac tried to spark a momentum shift in the bottom of the 4th inning as the bases were loaded with no outs as the Bobcats just scored a run off an error to close the gap 1-3. Despite the golden opportunity in sight, they could not activate their clutch gene, recording three straight outs, including two separate occasions tagging the runner heading for home.
With Sacred Heart still leading 3-1 in the 6th inning, the game took an unexpected turn. The bases were loaded for Sacred Heart with only one out, and sophomores Kathryn Hotle and Olivia Bibbo hit back to back singles increasing the lead to 5-1. After that, sophomore Katherine Buras pinch hitted and recorded a triple in her only at bat, clearing all three base runners, exploding the lead to 8-1. Sacred Heart would add to their lead scoring three more runs ending the inning leading 11-1. In just the 6th inning alone, the team piled up eight runs.
The Bobcats had a chance to score with two runners on base but could not pull it off. Sacred Heart mercied Quinnipiac 11-1, ending the game after the 6th inning. With the bats clicking, tallying 14 hits, senior Emily Heath only allowed one run and five Bobcat hits, as both teams looked completely different compared to the dominant victory by Quinnipiac earlier in the day.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s game the Bobcats will be on the prowl, trying to catch a win to secure their position in the MAAC playoffs. Tune in May 2nd at 12:00 p.m. to watch Quinnipiac softball possibly play their last game of the season. Quinnipiac has won three of their last five games.
