QUAKERTOWN, Pa. -- Trailing 2-0 after six innings, the East Stroudsburg University softball team's bats came alive in the top of the 7th, scoring four runs to complete a 4-2 comeback win over Gannon to open the PSAC Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Veteran's Park.
The Warriors (34-9) advance in the winner's bracket and will now play PSAC East top-seed Kutztown (33-13) on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Golden Knights fall to 18-17 on the season and will head to the loser's bracket for tomorrow's elimination game.
ESU starting pitcher Katie Zaun broke the single season strikeout record in the contest and now has fanned 161 batters on the season.
Notables
- Zaun's fifth strikeout of the game gave her the program-record, breaking Monica Sobolesky's 154 strikouts recorded in the 2004 season. In the complete game victory, the Allentown native allowed two runs (one unearned), six hits and struck out 11 Golden Knights. She has now reached double figures in strikeouts in seven contests this season. She now has a 12-5 record.
- Katherine Donaghue smashed a leadoff home run in the top of the 7th to spark the four-run rally.
- Sofia Cecchin provided two hits and a clutch two-RBI single in the top of the 7th to lift ESU to a 4-2 lead.
- Molly Nies added a single and two walks, while Reilly Vicendese also tallied an important 7th inning hit.
- ESU was held to just two hits through the first six innings of play, before exploding for four runs on three hits in the top of the 7th.
- The game was originally supposed to start at 10:00 a.m., but due to a weather delay, the contest was moved to 2:00 p.m.
How it Happened
- With Zaun pitching well, the contest remained scoreless until the third inning. After Zaun tied the strikeout record, an error in the outfield allowed a Golden Knight on first base. After a wild pitch, Zaun broke the strikeout record, but then allowed an RBI single, as GU took a 1-0 lead. Zaun added to her new record with a strikeout to end the inning strong.
- ESU had a runner in scoring position in the top of the 4th, but a caught stealing would end the half inning.
- Gannon added an insurance in the top of the 4th. After a leadoff double, Zaun retaliated with back-to-back strikeouts, but a single down the right field line would extend the GU lead.
- In the top of the sixth, ESU threatened as Vicendese reached on an error and advanced to second on the play. After a two-walk out put Shaw-Tait on first base, a groundout to the third baseman kept ESU off the scoreboard.
- After having just two hits combined in its first six innings, ESU exploded for four runs on three hits to grab a 4-2 lead. A leadoff Kate Donaghue home run sliced the deficit to 2-1, as two walks and a fieler's choice setup Reilly Vicendese for an RBI double to tie the contest at 2-2. Cecchin followed with a two-RBI single, lifting ESU to its first lead of the postseason.
- Gannon recorded a leadoff single to open the 7th, but Zaun settled get three consecutive outs,
Up Next
With the win, ESU advances to play PSAC East No. 1 seed Kutztown at 7:00 p.m. on Field 2.
