St. John’s softball hit the road for a six-game stretch this weekend in Clearwater Fla. in the USF-Under Armor Showcase. Unable to finish with a win the Johnnies dropped the last game to winless Quinnipiac, 5-3.
Quinnipiac (1-9) was able to score at the top of the first inning thanks to junior catcher Jordan Paolucci RBI single to take 1-0 lead.
But the Johnnies (5-3) responded with three straight runs in the bottom of the second inning by taking advantage of Quinnipiac’s only error of the game.
The Johnnies were able to do this by three straight hits led by junior outfielder Ellen Czubua single to start the rally and finish 2-for-4 for the game. Freshman catcher Kaitlyn Wilkens went 1-for-2 and had a RBI single. Freshman Mackenzie Cleary had a pinch-hit two RBI single to take the early 3-1 lead. But that was it for the Johnnies as they were held scoreless the rest of the way.
“They were just able to get timely hitting and we did not,” head coach Amy Kvilhaug said. “We had nine hits in the game, we just need to play more consistent”
Pitching also played a huge role for Quinnipiac as they held the Johnnies scoreless for the last five innings to preserve the win.
Junior starting pitcher Hannah Lindsley tossed five innings allowing three earn runs picking up the win for Quinnipiac. Their bullpen also tossed two scoreless innings as sophomore pitcher Sydney Robey picked up the save.
“They just pitched well and they just kept on scratching at us they came to play,” Kvilhaug said. “They just executed and we did not.”
Junior starting pitcher Francesca Carrullo earned a no decision lasting only four innings allowing six hits one earned run and Freshman pitcher Grace Kramer (0-2) took the lost in relief lasting only one inning allowing three earn runs.
Quinnipiac was able to score the last four runs in the game scoring twice in the fourth inning, once in the fifth inning and one run in the seventh inning.
The Johnnies finished the USF-Under Armor Showcase splitting the six games going (3-3).
The Johnnies will resume play at the Delaware Spring Invitational beginning Mar. 14 for a four series.
