Staten Island, NY – The Wagner College softball team dominated both ends of their doubleheader against NEC rival Stonehill on Saturday, April 13, securing victories in Game 1 and Game 2.
Game 1: Wagner 10, Stonehill 0
The Seahawks came out strong in the bottom of the first inning. With sophomore Brityn Buchanan on second, junior Geanice Morales reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Buchanan to score the game's first run.
Wagner kept the momentum going in the second inning as sophomore Lea Rachal launched a solo home run to extend the lead to 2-0. In the bottom of the third, with freshman Taylor Reynolds on first and Morales on second, Rachal homered again—this time a three-run shot—to make it 5-0 in favor of the Green & White.
The scoring continued in the bottom of the fourth. Reynolds singled to left field for an RBI, advancing Morales to second and junior Payton Janicki to third, while freshman Alayna Giampolo crossed home plate. Rachal then drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing in another run. Shortly after, sophomore Anna Burke reached on a fielder's choice, plating Morales for the eighth run of the game.
Sophomore Leilani Gonzales added to the tally with an RBI single, scoring Reynolds. The final run came when sophomore Sam Estrada reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, allowing Burke to score and bring the total to 10-0.
In the circle, sophomore Karson Zavala was dominant, pitching a five-inning shutout. She allowed just three hits, walked one, and struck out eight.
Game 2: Wagner 5, Stonehill 1
The Seahawks kept their foot on the gas in Game 2. In the bottom of the first, Janicki singled to right field for an RBI, driving in Giampolo to give Wagner an early 1-0 lead. The offense continued in the second as Estrada singled up the middle to bring home Rachal, making it 2-0.
Stonehill got on the board in the top of the third, but Wagner quickly responded. In the bottom half of the inning, Reynolds doubled to right field for an RBI, scoring Janicki. Burke followed with an RBI single to right, plating Reynolds. Morales capped the inning with another RBI single, bringing in sophomore Sammy Bolton to make it 5-1.
Zavala was once again stellar in the circle, going the distance with seven strong innings. She allowed three hits, one run, three walks, and struck out seven to earn her second win of the day.
Up Next, The series finale is scheduled for Monday, April 14 at 2:00 PM at Wagner Softball Field.
