Softball Walks off in Dramatic Fashion and Rides Strong Pitching to Doubleheader Sweep over Maine-Presque Isle

BELLEROSE, N.Y. - The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) softball team (4-6) improved their winning streak to four games this afternoon after sweeping a doubleheader against United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) foe Maine at Presque Isle, riding freshman Destiny Marino's (Middle Village, N.Y./Christ the King) walk-off single to a dramatic 6-5 victory in game one and finishing off the sweep with a comfortable 9-3 win in game two.

In the opener, Maine came alive for five hits, including three doubles, in a four-run third inning to claim a 5-1 advantage.

The Lady Bears offense remained silent until they rallied in the sixth to cut the deficit in half.

Freshman Stephanie Rancel (Middle Village, N.Y./Christ the King) and Marino kicked off the inning with consecutive doubles to put runners at second and third with no outs. Freshman Maria Gentile (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fontbonne Hall) kept the rally alive with another double, pushing both runners across to inch St. Joseph's closer.

Still trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Samantha Simon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) drew a leadoff walk and senior Cassandra Molinari (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund Prep) singled up the middle to set up the ensuing heroics.

With the tying runs on, senior Jackie Perillo (Howard Beach, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) laced a 2-RBI double to bring St. Joseph's even.

Following a walk and a flyout, Marino stepped up with one out and the winning run on second. The freshman connected for a clutch single to right field, bringing home Perillo for the dramatic winning run.

Starter Theresa Armano (Middle Village, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) picked up her second victory in as many days, allowing five earned runs and striking out four in a seven-inning complete game. The freshman held the Owls scoreless in the final four innings, giving her offense the opportunity to storm back.

In game two, St. Joseph's retained momentum with a four-hit, four-run second inning to seize control in the early going. The outburst was highlighted by junior Erica Eddy's (Glendale, N.Y./Christ the King) 2-RBI single to put the Lady Bears on the board.

In the bottom of the fourth, Eddy plated two more after doubling to left field, bringing her RBI total to a game-high four and widening the Lady Bears' advantage to 6-1.

St. Joseph's tacked on three more runs in the sixth inning and coasted to victory backed by another strong starting performance from Jamilynn McGowan (Staten Island, N.Y./Michael J. Petrides). The sophomore surrendered just two earned runs over 6.2 innings, improving to 2-3 on the year.

Gentile led St. Joseph's on offense this afternoon, finishing 4-for-6 on the day with three runs batted in. Eddy produced a team-best four RBIs, all in the second game, to bring her total to seven in the last four contests.

Looking to build on their four-game winning streak, the Lady Bears will meet York (N.Y.) on Thursday for a home doubleheader (3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) at Padavan-Preller Field. Live stats will be available at SJCBears.com.