The Quinnipiac softball team had one goal coming into their Friday doubleheader and weekend series against the Sacred Heart Pioneers: win at least two of three and the team would clinch a spot in the MAAC Tournament
The Bobcats came in after their series win on the road against Mount St. Mary’s while the Pioneers had just split a two-game set with CCSU.
Shannon Kendall, the reigning MAAC Player of the Week, started on the mound for the Bobcats. She would start the game with a 1-2-3 first inning.
In the bottom of the inning, Quinnipiac would put two runners on with one out. Riley Potter would work a walk to load the bases, putting more pressure on the Pioneers. The Bobcats would capitalize a batter later on a sac fly to right by Ally Hochstadler, putting Quinnipiac up 1-0. Natalia Apatiga would come up with two outs, hit what seemed to be a routine groundball to shortstop Nicole Henke, but her throw would sail past first base, allowing two more Bobcats to run to the plate. Quinnipiac would end the first inning up 3-0.
The Bobcat offense would continue to churn in the second as Mary Fogg hit a bloop single into center to make it 4-0 Quinnipiac. With the bases loaded, Kennedy Demott would line a three-run double down the left field line, as the Bobcats began to pull away 7-0.
After allowing two runners, Kendall would work her way out of it. The inning would end with a nice flip from the second baseman Kinsley Cox to get a force at the bag.
In the top of the fourth, Sacred Heart would load the bases. A run would score on a ground ball to second but that would be all as Kendall would once again work of the jam. It would be the only Sacred Heart run of the game.
Quinnipiac would continue to add on in the bottom of the inning as Aryn Bombery would score on a Sofia Vega ground ball that was bobbled by the second baseman. Vega would then score a few batters later on a fielder’s choice by Potter. This would be followed by a grounder by Apatiga rolling into left, allowing two more runs to come across. Cox would single in another run, putting the Bobcats well past the mercy rule threshold.
Alden would have yet another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth to secure the 12-1 mercy rule win for the Bobcats.
They would look to keep the momentum going in game two of the doubleheader.
