STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The D'Youville University Softball team finished off their regular season on a high note clinching the four seed in the East Coast Conference playoff tournament. The Saints fell to CSI 2-1 in game one before defeating the Dolphins in thrilling comeback fashion 10-8 in game two.  

D'Youville University 1 at The College of Staten Island 2 – Game One
It was a tight battle between the Saints and Dolphins in game one as both teams fought for the final spot in postseason play. The Dolphins struck first plating two runs in the bottom of the first to take the 2-0 lead.

D'Youville scattered hits from Becca Sawyer (Courtice, Ontario / Holy Trinity Catholic SS), Emily Przybysz (Hamburg, N.Y. / Frontier Central), and Gabby Moreno (San Diego, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista) but were unable to cross a run. The Saints finally gained some momentum in the top of the seventh as Sophia Arno (Clarence Center, N.Y. / The Brook Hill School) walked and Gianna Adamo (Lockport, N.Y. / Starpoint) singled her in to put D'Youville on the board. The Saints were unable to score any more and the Dolphins took game one 2-1.

Sarah Parzych (Getzville, N.Y. / Williamsville North) went the distance in the circle and despite the first inning trouble, had a strong showing for D'Youville striking out five while only allowing four hits.

D'Youville University 10 at The College of Staten Island 8 – Game Two
With playoffs on the line and the winning team headed to playoffs, game two between the Saints and Dolphins was one for the ages. D'Youville struck first in the top of the second as Laura Beck (Clifton Park, N.Y. / Shenendehowa) and Annie Jorgenson (Victoria, B.C. / Belmont SS) led off the inning with base hits. Becca Sawyer singled to knock in a run and Sophia Arno and Emily Przybysz followed suit each bringing in an RBI of their own to put the Saints ahead 3-0.

The Dolphins immediately answered plating five runs in the bottom of the second to take the 5-3 lead. The Saints battled and tied the game at five in the top of the fourth as Ally Beardi (Buffalo, N.Y. / St. Mary's) crossed home and Adamo delivered another RBI single. D'Youville capitalized again in the top of the fifth as Mia Trietley (Buffalo, N.Y. / Frederick Law Olmsted) walked with the bases loaded to put the Saints ahead 6-5.

Staten Island still had some fight in them as they put up three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the 8-6 lead. The score remained the same through the sixth, but the Saints refused to give up as they headed into the seventh with their season on the line.

Laura Beck kicked off the top of the seventh with a triple to left center and Annie Jorgenson followed behind with a double off the fence to leave the Saints trailing by one. Becca Sawyer reached on a fielder's choice allowing Jorgenson to score and tie the game. Sophia Arno reached on a single and Hailee Jenkins (Ontario, Canada / Fenelon Falls SS) walked to load the bases as D'Youville had the lead in their sights. Summer Clark (Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville East) came up big with a clutch single to right center to score two and give the Saints the 10-8 lead.

Staten Island did not go quietly in the bottom of the seventh as they loaded the bases with one out, but Sarah Parzych in for relief for the Saints was not shaken getting the second out on an infield fly and retiring the final batter with a strikeout to give the Saints the 10-8 win and send D'Youville to the playoffs.

Up Next
With their game two victory, the Saints earn the No.4 seed in the ECC tournament, which is set to begin on Thursday, May 1st. D'Youville will travel to St. Thomas Aquinas College for the tournament.