Softball

East Region Crown Secured: STAC Defeats Assumption 8-3 in Extras to Punch Ticket to First-Ever NCAA D2 Softball Finals

Sparkill, N.Y. - It was a historic Friday for the St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball program, as the Spartans added some additional hardware to their already packed trophy case. In yet another thrilling extra innings affair at Spartan Field in Rockland County, the maroon and gold beat Assumption University 8-3 to capture their first-ever NCAA Division II Softball East Region title.

STAC earns its NCAA D2-best 23rd straight victory and continues to set a new program record for wins, now at 38 (38-12). The team will also make its first-ever appearance in the D2 Softball Finals, which take place May 28 to June 3 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

STAC 8-3 (Eight Innings)

St. Thomas Aquinas broke open a tightly contested extra-inning battle on Friday afternoon, erupting for five runs in the top of the eighth to defeat Assumption 8–3 and complete the road victory.

The Spartans used patience at the plate, dominant late pitching from Emma Grace Popp, and a massive grand slam from Alyssa Haberstroh to pull away after seven innings of back-and-forth softball.

Spartans Strike First

After two scoreless innings to begin the afternoon, STAC broke through in the third.

Elyse Marcano sparked the rally with a double before Olivia Leon brought her home on an RBI groundout to give the Spartans a 1–0 lead.

Assumption answered immediately in the bottom half when Bella Mara lined an RBI single to left-center, tying the game at 1–1.

Back-and-Forth Battle

The two teams continued trading runs throughout the middle innings.

In the fifth, Sofia Marella and Olivia Leon helped create another scoring opportunity before Alyssa Haberstroh delivered an RBI single to right field to put STAC back in front, 2–1.

The Greyhounds again responded in the bottom half as Bella Mara ripped an RBI double down the left-field line to even the game.

St. Thomas Aquinas reclaimed the lead in the sixth when Nayah Diaz scored after Olivia Leon worked a bases-loaded walk, but Assumption countered once more as Kaitlyn Cahill tripled to left field to drive in the tying run and make it 3–3.

Eighth-Inning Explosion

The Spartans finally seized control in the top of the eighth.

Adriana Coira reached and eventually came around to score after Trinadey Santiago drew a bases-loaded walk to push STAC ahead 4–3.

Moments later, Alyssa Haberstroh delivered the decisive swing of the afternoon, crushing a grand slam to left-center field to blow the game open and extend the lead to 8–3.

The home run capped a five-run inning and gave the Spartans all the insurance they would need.

Popp Slams the Door

Emma Grace Popp was outstanding in relief, earning her 19th win of the season.

After Lauren Falk battled through six innings, allowing three runs on 12 hits, Popp entered and completely shut down the Greyhounds over the final two frames. The sophomore did not allow a hit while striking out one and walking one across two scoreless innings.

Key Performers

St. Thomas Aquinas

Assumption

  • Kaitlyn Cahill: 2-for-5, 3B, RBI, R
  • Kaylee Lacomb: 1-for-3, R, BB
  • Bella Mara: 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI
  • Molly Green: 2-for-3
  • Jaiden Tonucci: 1-for-4, SB
  • Kaelin Waldron: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 6 BB
  • Paige Cote: 2.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

Up Next

The Spartans await the announcement of their opponent at the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Finals, while making final preparations to travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee early next week.