The #4 softball team opened up the CUNYAC Postseason Tournament with an 8-0 loss against top-seeded Hunter College on Friday afternoon. In a single-elimination game, the Bloodhounds upset #3 Lehman College, 3-2, to advance to day two of the tournament. John Jay improves to 14-20 on the season.
In the game against the Hawks of Hunter, junior
Mariela Guzman recorded John Jay's lone hit. Freshman
Julianne Graepel allowed one earned run in three innings of work.
Against the Lightning, Lehman scored a run in the bottom of the first to take the first lead. In the top of the fourth, the Bloodhounds loaded the bases with two outs. Freshman
Nicole Lopez came through with a clutch two-run single to score sophomore
AnneMarie Rivera and freshman
Ashley Sclafani and put John Jay ahead 2-1.
In the sixth, Graepel crossed home plate via a stolen base and throwing error to add an insurance run. In the bottom of the seventh, the Lightning loaded the bases with no outs. After an RBI ground out, freshman
Brittany Williamson struck out the next batter with a stellar changeup. A walk loaded the bases and with two outs, Williamson got a ground out to third base to secure the upset for John Jay.
Graepel notched the win after throwing the first three innings and allowing two hits and one run (no earned). Williamson picked up the save after logging the final four innings, allowing four hits, one run, and struck out four.
Rivera finished 2-for-2 with a stolen base and Mandell had two hits.
The Bloodhounds will face #1 Hunter College in an elimination game on Saturday, May 4, at 11:00 am at the College of Staten Island. The winner will have to defeat #2 Staten Island twice to record a CUNYAC Championship.
