Posted: May 06, 2023
Rockville Centre, N.Y. - After 22 years, St. Thomas Aquinas College's softball team finally added the trophy to its mantle that it had craved for so long.
Powered by three-run home runs by Emilie Olivier and DeAnna DeCaro, the Spartans rolled to a 8-3 win over Molloy University to win its first-ever East Coast Conference championship at the RVC Sports Complex in Rockville Centre, L.I. It's the program's first ECC title since joining the NCAA in 2001. STAC upped its record to 31-16 and earned an automatic bid into the Eastern Regionals, one of eight tournaments around the country that will compete for the national NCAA Div. II title. The tournament schedule and teams will be announced tomorrow by the NCAA.
"This is the culmination of nine months of very hard work and I'm very proud of all of my players," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "Today's win showcased all of the qualities that helped us win 31 games -- strong pitching, timely hitting and very good defense. We've peaked at the right time and we are looking forward to competing in the regionals for the first time."
The Spartans jumped out to a fast start. Freshman Adriana Coira singled to left field, Eliana Raposo walked and Olivier slugged a three-run home run over the left field fence. DeCaro followed with a single and Tara Hagan stroked a run-producing double to right center field. After Molloy responded with two runs in the third inning, Raposo singled and Olivier followed with a long single off the right field. Raposo then scored on an infield error to increase the lead to 5-3.
The turning point of the game came in the fifth inning. Molloy pushed across a run to make the score 5-3 and put the potential tying runs on base with no one. However, STAC pitcher Carissa Della Vecchia struck out the next three batters to squelch the rally. DeCaro's long home run over the right field broke open the game in the home half of the fifth inning after Abbie Landrum had doubled and Olivier walked.
Della Vecchia was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player as the winning pitcher in STAC's three tourney victories. Landrum shut the door on the Lions with one inning of scoreless relief. Della Vecchia's win lifted her record to 19-3 and tied the program record for single-season wins.
Coira finished with three hits and sparkled in the field at shortstop along with Marcano at second base.
Provided by the St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information Department.
