Fifth-year captain Jessica Henelly recorded an RBI in three at-bats during Sunday’s win. PHOTO CREDIT: gorhody.com
After a 2-0 sweep in their home opener against Brown on Thursday, the University of Rhode Island softball team returned to URI Softball Complex to host their first Atlantic 10 conference series against rivals St. Joseph’s University this past weekend.
Another weekend of rainy weather conditions moved the two-day series into a double header as the Rams rallied to split the games 1-1 on Sunday.
Despite an early 5-0 defeat in the first game, the Rams returned with vengeance to pick up a 2-0 victory in the second game. The win snapped an ongoing 20-game losing streak against the Hawks squad.
Head coach Whitney Goldstein praised her team’s ability to remain resilient under pressure as they prepare for their upcoming schedule of conference and non-conference play.
“The first game, we kept them in it, but there were little things here and there that didn’t work in our favor,” said Goldstein. “We went into that second game with the same mentality, but we adjusted and were able to act in crucial moments. To come back and shut them out feels really great.”
In the first game of the series, Rhode Island was held to just five hits off the hand of St. Joe’s starter Emily Siler. The third-year struck out five with just three walks to shut down the Rams offense.
After three scoreless innings, the Hawks got the early 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth after a sacrifice bunt from senior Jessica Gaughan allowed a waiting first-year Meghan Sinkus to score from third.
A three-run rally in the top of the sixth moved St. Joe’s lead to 4-0, as they earned three runs off a pair of run-batted-in (RBI) doubles off the bats of second-year Kaelin Cash and fourth-year Madison Fife. Gaughan also picked up an RBI groundout to Rhode Island shortstop Cassie Swenson to help secure the lead for the Hawks.
The Hawks would pick up an insurance run in the top of the seventh to extend their lead to 5-0. First-year Becca Zawistowski led off the bottom of the seventh with a single up the middle as Leilyn Alvarez subbed in to pinch run. After second-year Emily Power hit into a fielder’s choice, Alvarez was out at second. With one out, Siler retired the side to complete the game.
The second game of the series began with five scoreless innings as a pitchers duel between second-year starter Katie Zaun and St. Joes’ Taylor Trowbridge held the game within striking distance from either side.
With one out and bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, the Rams were able to take advantage of the opportunity with an RBI single through the right side off the bat of fourth-year Skyler Rapuano. With the 1-0 lead, Rhody quickly added an insurance run when fourth-year Hennelly followed and hit into a fielder’s choice. Although out at first, Hennelly picked up her sixth RBI of the season as Elena Gonzalez scored.
In the top of the seventh, the Hawks were shut down off the hand of Zaun as she retired the first three batters of the inning. She finished the day with three strikeouts, zero walks and allowed just four hits to secure her second complete shutout of the season.
“It feels really great to go out there and help my team,” Zaun said. “I’ve been focusing on gaining control and confidence in the circle, and it was working today.”
With the win, Zaun improved to a 4-7 overall record with a 4-1 record in her last five starts. She is currently leading the bullpen as her season earned-run average improved to 3.27.
Skyler Rapuano continued her stand-out play both offensively and defensively. In the top of the second inning, Rapuano tracked a foul ball to the right field line and snagged a sinking line drive. A waiting Gaughan attempted to tag up at third when Rapuano fired a bullet to make the out and keep the game scoreless. She later knocked the RBI single down the line in the bottom of the sixth to help get the Rams across the board first.
“My confidence is finally starting to come back,” said Rapuano. “It feels great to help contribute to the team’s success, but this was a team win. We couldn’t have done it without each other.”
Following the victory, Rhode Island improved to 4-4 in conference play. With 17 Atlantic 10 games remaining, the Rams already have matched their league win total from a year ago, when they were 4-20.
The Rams next game will be at Bryant on Tuesday, April 4 at 4 p.m. before they return home this weekend for an Atlantic 10 matchup against Fordham. First pitch of the three-game series will be Friday at 3 p.m.