Kakavas Pulls Lady Bears from Elimination at USCAA Nationals St. Joseph's Advances to Semifinal Round

AKRON, OH – Sophomore catcher Caitlyn Kakavas (Bayside, NY/St. Agnes) delivered a two-out single in bottom of the seventh inning that plated two runs leading the Lady Bears to a comeback 4-3 victory, over #7 Southern State CC helping the Lady Bears escape elimination and advance in the USCAA National Softball Tournament.

Playing as the home team decided by a coin flip at the start of the game, St. Joseph's jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, knocking four hits off the Patriots, with Millicia Malvasio (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Kearney) and Danielle Marino (Maspeth, NY/Mary Louis) scoring for the Lady Bears and Alyson Chiaramonte (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) knocking in a run.

As the rain began to come down harder, Southern State CC took a 3-2 lead plating three runs on one hit benefitting from two Lady Bears miscues and two walks issued by Chiaramonte due to the wet ball.

The game was delayed 20 minutes after the third inning and when play resumed, both teams went scoreless until play was halted for the night after the sixth inning with Southern State CC leading 3-2.

When play resumed on Sunday afternoon, Chiaramonte held the Patriots scoreless in the top of the seventh, stranding a runner on third after a one-out double.

The bottom half of the frame brought up the top of the lineup for the Lady Bears needing one run to stave off elimination.  Marino started the rally with a single to centerfield and beat out a throw to second on the force to place runners at first and second with one out.  Chiaramonte grounded into a fielder's choice that placed runners at the corners with two outs and Kakavas due up.  Chiaramonte stole second to advance to scoring position.

Kakavas delivered the game winner with a drive to center that easily scored Marino and Chiaramonte scoring from second just beating the throw home.

Chiaramonte earns the win, improving to 16-4 in the circle, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits, striking out a season-high 15 and walking two.

With the win, St. Joseph's improves to 27-10-1 and sets a new school record for wins in a season.  The Lady Bears advance to the semifinal game against #2 St. Mary-of-the-Woods on Sunday, May 9th at 6 p.m.  Due to the double-elimination format, the Lady Bears must defeat St. Mary-of-the-Woods twice to advance to the Championship Series against #1 Robert Morris Springfield on Monday.