MOUNTIES REPEAT AS SOFTBALL CHAMPS
With a 5-1 win over Franciscan University, Mount Aloysius successfully defended their AMCC softball title.
With a 5-1 win over Franciscan University, Mount Aloysius College successfully defended their AMCC softball title and will represent the AMCC in the NCAA Div. III tournament as the 2019 conference champion.
The Mounties seemed to get it going in the second inning, loading the bases on 2 base hits and an error but they could not convert the opportunity as FUS pitcher Sarah Keating struck out the batter to end the charge. The Barons came back with some offense of their own to start the third inning, also loading the bases. This time there was a fruitful result with 1B Anna Swierczewski singled to right scoring Allyson Weiss and taking a 1-0 lead.
But a monster fifth inning by the Mounties spelled doom for Franciscan. Six hits became five runs and provided Mount Aloysius with the sum of their offense, as their defense shut the door for the remaining two innings. SS Abby Reitz led the way with a 2 for 3 day at the plate resulting in 2 RBI. Timely hitting by Kara Pisczek, Courtney Link and Emily Cochrane drove in the other runs and secured the title for the #2 seeded Mounties. Pisczek got the win and upped her record to 9-1.
The Lady Barons earned a berth in the finals by defeating the tournament's top seed, Penn St. Behrend, in convincing fashion. Franciscan racked up 13 hits in the victory, recording at least one in every inning. First year pitcher Sarah Keating got the shutout by limiting the offensive minded Lions to just six hits and no walks for her 15th win of the season. OF Jenny Massey brought her A game to the plate, going 4 for 4 and recording 3 RBI.
The Mounties will learn their NCAA tournament assignment on Monday. The ECAC tournament bids will be announced on Tuesday.
All-Tournament Team
Mount Aloysius College: Lydia DeFazio, Emily Cochran, Kara Pisczek
Franciscan University: Sarah Keating, Kathleen Thompson, Allyson Weiss
Penn St. Behrend: Katie Gozzard, Carson Hauser
D'Youville College: Ashley Carney, Alexa Haberer
Pitt-Bradford: Liz Dzurisin, Jordan Uhing
Penn St. Altoona: Abby Showers, Haley Giedroc