Fairfield, Conn. – The Stony Brook softball team bounced back from an 8-1 defeat
in game one of a doubleheader against Fairfield to earn a 3-1 extra-inning victory
over the Stags on Tuesday afternoon.
The Seawolves had a tough time against Fairfield pitcher Mellissa Santos, getting
just one hit in the 8-1 loss. Santos pitched both games, striking out 27 hitters
in 15 innings of work.
In the opener, the right hander allowed only a solo homerun to Jane Stein in
the second inning, Stein’#146;s second homer of the year. She struck out 15
batters in the seven innings, earning her 12th victory of the season.
Fairfield opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the first inning. With
two outs, Karyn Kennedy bunted for a single, and went to third on Katie Caputi’#146;s
double. Keri Giangrande followed with a two-run single to right center for a
2-0 lead. After Stein’#146;s homer cut the lead to 2-1, the Stags rallied for
three runs in the third inning.
Caputi singled to right center, and scored on Giangrande’#146;s double to left
center. Third baseman Missy MacDonald followed with a two-run homer over the
left field fence. Fairfield made it 6-1 on Caputi’#146;s RBI single in the fourth
inning.
The Stags closed the scoring in the sixth inning, as Laura Sandonato stroked
a sacrifice fly and Kennedy had an RBI fielder’#146;s choice.
Santos started game two and became involved in a pitching duel with Stephanie
Poetzsch. The two pitchers did not allow a run through the first seven innings.
The Seawolves started the top of the eighth with a runner on second base, in
accordance with the international tie breaker rule. Stony Brook scored three
runs with four base hits, as Colleen McCarthy hit an RBI single for the first
run and Stein added a two-run single.
Fairfield scored its first run off Ellen Sarosy’#146;s RBI triple, but could
not manage any more offense. With one out, Laura Sandonato attempted to send
Sarosy home on a sacrifice fly, but the Seawolves’#146; Amanda Staschuk fired
a perfect throw to home and catcher Stephanie McCarthy tagged Sarosy out at
the plate to end the game.
Santos was the hard-luck loser, despite fanning a dozen batters. Poetzsch (8-6)
earned her eighth win of the season, scattering five hits and striking out seven
batters.
Stein went 2-for-6 with three RBI on the day, while Kristen Brust was 2-for-4
in game two to lead the Seawolves.
Stony Brook returns to action on Thursday in another non-conference doubleheader
when the Seawolves play host to Fairleigh DIckinson.
Game time is set for 2:30 p.m.
