Sparkill, N.Y. - Eliana Raposo's first-inning, three-run homer and Carissa Della Vecchia's strong pitching propelled St. Thomas Aquinas College to a 7-2 win over Mercy College today in first-round softball action of the East Coast Conference playoffs at Spartan Field.
The exciting win lifted STAC's record to 29-16 and established a program record for most wins in a single season.
The second-seeded Spartans will meet fourth-seeded Queens College on Friday at 10 a.m. in the second round of the double-elimination tourney. Queens defeated top-seeded Molloy University, 9-0, in today's other opening-round contest. All games on Friday and Saturday will be played at Molloy's home field in Rockville Centre, N.Y. The tournament winner will advance to the NCAA Division East Regional that begins next week.
The Spartans roared out of the gate in the first inning. Elyse Marcano singled, Abbie Landrum doubled to deep right field, and Raposo, a freshman, followed with her team-leading fifth home run of the season over the left field. In the second inning, Amanda Demmerle started the frame with a single and stole second base, her 17th steal of the season, setting a new program record. Adriana Coira's single plated her to expand the lead to 4-0.
