EAST STROUDSBURG -- Highlighted by the first-ever perfect game in program history in game two, the East Stroudsburg University softball team picked up a pair of wins against Saint Thomas Aquinas on Wednesday afternoon at Creekview Park.

The Warriors (4-0) came from behind for an 8-5 win in game one. Morgan Chapman and Katie Zaun combined to make history in the 1-0 win that lasted eight innings in game two. ESU set down 24 consecutive batters in the latter half of the twin bill, as Katherine Donaghue provided the walk-off win with an RBI off of a fielder's choice. The Spartans fall to 0-2 on the season.

Notables

• Chapman's and Zaun's combined perfect game is the sixth no-hitter in program history and is the first since Jennifer Bensinger threw a no-hitter against Goldey-Beacom on March 11, 2009. Chapman threw the first three innings against the Spartans, tossing a pair of strikeouts, five ground outs and two fly outs during the first three innings. Zaun entered the game in the top of the 4th and was unscathed through the next five innings, registering nine strikeouts, two ground outs and five fly outs for the next 15 outs.
• Just a freshman, Zaun has pitched nine innings on the week to begin her collegiate career. The Parkland High School product has allowed just three hits and struck out 15 batters and has yet to allow an earned run, recording a batting average against of .103.
• Offensively, ESU was led by Molly Nies, who drove in three runs on one hit. Brooke McKeown tallied three hits and two RBIs on the day. Lexi Wright scored a pair of runs and had an RBI. Nies, Wright and McKeown all tallied triples in the first game of the day.
• In game two, ESU was able to strand the lone Spartan runner on second in extra innings, due to international rules. In the bottom of the 8th, Sofia Cecchin was able to steal third base and scored off of Donaghue's fielder choice to secure the sweep for ESU.
• As a whole the ESU pitching staff has combined to pitch 24.1 innings to begin the season, allowing just four earned runs, 32 strikeouts, just three extra-base hits and has an ERA of 1.04 and a batting average against of .188.

• It was Saint Thomas Aquinas that struck the scoreboard first in game one. After starting the series with back-to-back singles and a walk, Alexa Hopper settled in and dealt a pair of strikeouts. In the next at bat, and ESU error in the outfield allowed three runners to score, as STAC took a 3-0 lead early.
• In the bottom of the 2nd, ESU was able to get back in the game. The Warriors scored four runs on just one hit, a McKeown single. The Warriors scored two runs via bases loaded walks and added a fourth run on a Reilly Vicendese sacrifice fly. Suddenly, ESU led 4-3 after two innings in Stroudsburg.
• Paige Zigmund took over mound duties for Hopper in the third frame and continued her strong start to her Warrior career. She pitched the remaining five innings and allowed just four hits and one earned run, striking out four and allowing just one walk.
• ESU padded its one run lead in the bottom of the 4th. After a strikeout, Wright and McKeown tallied back-to-back triples, as Nies followed with a sac fly to put ESU up 6-3 after four innings.
• The Spartans made the first game interesting in the top of the fifth as a two-out RBI double and a unearned run scored following an error made it a 6-5 contest in favor of the Red and Black.
• That's as close it would get for STAC, as ESU added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. After a one-out single by McKeown, Nies smacked an RBI triple and Vicendese followed with an RBI double. The Warriors held an 8-5 lead through six innings.
• Zigmund allowed a pair of one-out singles in the top of the 7th but escaped with the win after a foul out and a ground out. ESU took game one by an 8-5 score.

How It Happened Game: Two

• Despite a 13-run game one, game two was the definition of a pitcher's duel.
• Neither team put a runner on base until Denva Shaw-Tait blasted a single to lead off the bottom of the 2nd.
• Chapman did not allow a baserunner in her three innings, as STAC's Abbie Landrum would not be outdone. Kaityn Caleen drew a walk to begin the bottom of the 3rd, but would be caught stealing. Wright registered the second Warrior hit (and last) in the frame, but ESU could not take a lead.
• With Zaun taking over in the circle, ESU looked to take control of the game. In the fifth, Donaghue walked and Abigail Weirich would steal second, but would be stranded after a strikeout.
• Neither team could put a runner on base until STAC had the international runner on second base to begin extra innings in the top of the 8th. Zaun forced a foul out, a pop up to second base and struck out a pinch hitter, to end her impressive day with nine strikeouts in just five innings of work.
• With the speedy Cecchin on base, she stole third base and was able to score the winning and only run in game two on a fielder's choice off the bat of Donahue.

ESU Softball No-Hitters

• Morgan Chapman and Katie Zaun vs. Saint Thomas Aquinas - 2022 (Perfect Game, 8 inn.)
• Jennifer Bensinger vs. Goldey-Beacom - 2009
• Crissy Wontroba vs. Queens - 2007
• Sheri Riccelli vs. Philadelphia Textile - 1991
• Claire Hoherchak and Elaine Bedell vs. Williams - 1990
• Lynn Kuchinskas vs. South Carolina - 1976

Up Next

• ESU is back in action on March 6th, when the Warriors begin their Kissimmee, Fla. trip against Northwood. The Warriors will play 12 games in six days.
• The Warriors return to Creekview Park on March 19 against Jefferson.