WATERBURY, Conn. – A strong offensive start for Post University Softball, which saw them score three runs in the first inning of game one, was quickly quelled by St. Thomas Aquinas College's pitching and defense as the Eagles were shut out for the next 11 innings by the Spartans in Tuesday afternoon's home doubleheader, falling 11-3 in five innings, and 4-0 in game two, getting swept for the first time since 2006 against St. Thomas Aquinas.

THE BASICS

Post University 3, St. Thomas Aquinas College 11 (5 Innings)

Post University 0, St. Thomas Aquinas College 4

Post University (5-20)

St. Thomas Aquinas College (15-11)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1: Post University 3, St. Thomas Aquinas College 11 (5 Innings)
In a game that ended up only being one hour and 20 minutes, a combined five runs were scored in the first inning, leading to the Eagles taking a 3-2 lead, which was their only three runs of the game. Sophomore infielder Sofia Marella knocked in two runs for the Spartans in the top of the frame off sophomore right-hander Meghan McGurk, who lasted three innings.

McGurk allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits with four walks, a strikeout, and a wild pitch, falling to 1-7 on the year in the circle. Post's only three runs came on an infield single by freshman infielder Haley DiBona, as a throwing error by sophomore pitcher Lauren Falk allowed the first run to score. Graduate infielder Nyla Sapia ended up scoring two more runs for the Eagles on her triple, as she finished the game 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

Sophomore infielder Alexandra Bisceglia was the only other Post player with a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. After that first inning, Falk would settle in to allow three hits for the rest of her start, moving to 7-7 after spinning five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk.

Senior infielder Adriana Coira was a perfect 4-for-4 in the game for St. Thomas Aquinas College, hitting a triple, stealing a base, driving in two runs, and scoring three times. All players for the Spartans with multiple at-bats finished with at least one hit, while Marella and senior infielder Trinadey Santiago each had three RBIs in the 11-3 mercy rule win in five innings.

Game 2: Post University 0, St. Thomas Aquinas College 4
Freshman pitcher Emma Grace Popp had herself a day in the circle for the Spartans as she fanned 12 batters and walked just one while throwing a wild pitch. Sophomore infielder Angelica Tompkins accounted for two of the three hits that Popp allowed, as she finished 3-for-5 overall in the doubleheader to move to a .485 batting average on the season, which is currently the highest in Division II history at Post. Junior utility player Allysa Calabrese was the only other Eagle to reach base on a hit, singling in the sixth off of Popp, who improved to 8-1 in the circle. 

Graduate right-hander Katelyn Lipsky fell to 4-6 on the season, allowing four runs (two earned) on 10 hits with two walks and a strikeout on 90 pitches. Senior infielder Elyse Marcano went a perfect 3-for-3 off Lipsky with a run scored, while Coira drove in two more runners in the win during her 1-for-3 game with a double, a walk, and a run scored. The only other Spartan to record multiple hits in the affair was Santiago, who was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored like Coira. 

The pair of losses dropped Post to 5-20 on the season overall while moving to 10-14 in the all-time series against the Spartans.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Finishing 3-for-5 in the doubleheader, Angelica Tompkins has raised her season batting average to .485 through 23 games, which is currently the second-highest batting average for a single season in program history, while being the highest since Post University moved to Division II
• After going 2-for-2 in game one, Nyla Sapia's eight-game on-base streak came to a close as she went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in game two
• Emma Grace Popp spun a gem in the second game for St. Thomas Aquinas College, striking out 12 batters while walking just one and throwing a wild pitch -- Popp allowed only three hits, two of which were to Angelica Tompkins
• This is the first time since the 2006 season in which St. Thomas Aquinas College has swept a doubleheader from Post University, as they have either split or won single games against the Eagles in the years since

 
WHO'S NEXT
A week with non-conference play continues as Post University hits the field on Thursday afternoon at home after a day off on Wednesday to face Southern New Hampshire University at 2:30 PM for a doubleheader at LaMoy Field. The Eagles are 1-14 overall against the Penmen, having lost nine consecutive games to them since the 2016 season.