Softball Drops Doubleheader to St. John's

Wednesday, May 1

West Point, NY

3:00 PM

Army West Point

12-35

St. John's

27-25

St. John's

ARMY

Softball Drops Doubleheader to St. John's

May 01, 2024 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WEST POINT, N.Y.- The Army West Point softball team (12 - 36, 7-8 Patriot ) was bested by St. John's (28 - 25, 13-11 Big East) in both games of the midweek doubleheader.

GAME ONE (L, 2-1)

A pitching duel unfolded between Army's starter, Amanda Eaglin, and the Red Storm's starter, Loreley Francia, dominating the first four innings. Eaglin yielded only three hits and notched four strikeouts during this stretch.

It was a deadlock until the top of the fifth when St. John's capitalized with back-to-back RBI doubles, seizing a 2-0 lead.

With two outs, Army's relief pitcher, Katelyn Flanders, thwarted a St. John's base runner attempting a stolen base.

The Black Knights retaliated in the bottom of the fifth when Ashton White's RBI single brought Mikalya Klepfer home.

Flanders then delivered a flawless 1, 2, 3 inning in the top of the fifth, including a strikeout, offering Army a chance to level the score

However, St. John's defense, led by Francia, held firm, denying Army any opportunity to equalize. Despite another pristine inning from Flanders, Francia struck out three of Army's batters, leading to a 2-1 victory for St. John's.

Despite the defeat, Kayla Edwards, White, and Mia Bonsignore all had commendable performances at the plate, batting two-for-three in the game.

GAME 2 (L, 2-0)

The second game unfolded much like the first, featuring a pitching and defensive duel between Army's Olivia Farris and St. John's Ana Serafinko.

Throughout the initial three innings, Serafinko effectively held Army at bay, preventing them from reaching base or scoring any hits or runs, while tallying four strikeouts.

Likewise, Farris matched her counterpart, not yielding any runs and conceding only three hits while also striking out four batters through three innings.

Army finally broke through in the top of the fourth inning when Ashton White doubled to center field. Nonetheless, Serafinko and Colgate's defense promptly shut down Army's offensive push, maintaining their scoreless streak.

Serafinko showcased her batting prowess in the bottom of the fifth with a double to right field, putting St. John's on the scoreboard. St. John's added another run due to an Army throwing error.

Army's reliever, Lauren Levendowski, took the mound in the sixth inning, securing two strikeouts and preventing any hits or runs, setting the stage for the Black Knights to attempt a comeback in the bottom of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Black Knights loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a single from Lauren Little, Edwards reaching on an error, and a walk. However, Serafinko remained composed and notched a crucial strikeout to escape the inning unscathed.

Heading into the top of the seventh, Levendowski and the Army defense held St. John's at bay, denying them any scoring opportunities, giving Army a chance to even the score or claim victory in the final frame.

Nevertheless, St. John's defense held firm. Serafinko delivered another flawless inning, retiring Army's batters in order and securing the doubleheader victory, 2-0.

NEXT UP

Army will head to Hamilton, N.Y. to take on Colgate this weekend in their final series of the 2024 regular season.

The Black Knights will need to win the series to prolong their season and make it to the Patriot League post-season play.