Standish, Maine – On a cold, wet afternoon, the Albertus Magnus College softball team swept a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader on the road against Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Field. The Falcons blanked the host Monks in both contests, taking the opener, 2-0, and the finale, 3-0.
With the sweep, Albertus Magnus improves to 11-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Monks drop to 5-9 on the spring and 0-2 in league action with the setbacks.
It was a stellar day in the circle for both AMC freshman pitcher Kristen Cunning (Hoboken, N.J.) and sophomore Megan Ferraro (Branford, Conn.). The two righties combined to give up zero earned runs, while scattering 10 hits and striking out two hitters.
The Falcons also had a solid day defensively, committing zero errors compared to four by the Monks.
Game One
Cunning worked six masterful innings, surrendering just five hits and no runs to improve to 4-1 on the year, while Ferraro tossed a perfect seventh for her first save of the season. On the opposite end, Kristal Smith was the tough-luck loser as she went the distance and gave up two unearned runs.
The Falcons plated both of their runs in the top of third inning. During the frame, the guests took advantage three SJC errors. Junior infielder Rachel Cataudella (Shelton, Conn.) came around to score the first run of the day on an errant throw following a sac bunt from classmate Megan Kelly (Bronx, N.Y.). Lead-off hitter Brianna Whitfield (West Islip, N.Y.) came around to score later in the stanza on an error by the Monks centerfielder.
In the circle, Cunning retired the side in order in the fourth inning and the defense helped her out with a double play in the home half of the fifth.
Game Two
Ferraro tossed a gem in the nightcap, going the distance and scattering five hits for her third complete game shutout of the spring. She retired the first seven batters she faced and the last four as well. Ferraro set down the side in order in the first, second, fourth and seventh. The sophomore lowered her ERA to 1.58 and she has not allowed an earned run in her last 11 innings of work.
At the dish, the Falcons pushed across two runs in the fourth courtesy of a two-out, two-run double to right center by junior outfielder Kirsten McGinty (East Lyme, Conn.). McGinty's poke tied her for the team lead with 7 RBIs on the year and brought both Kelly and Whitfield charging home.
AMC added an insurance run in the sixth as Whitfield came racing home on a passed ball.
Offensively, Whitfield paced the Falcon attack with two hits and two runs in the finale.
Albertus Magnus returns to action on Saturday, April 9, with a home conference doubleheader versus Lasell that gets underway at noon from Celentano Field. Last spring, the Falcons swept the Lasers in Boston.
For the latest information on the softball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.
