Union, NJ – The John Jay softball team staged a late-inning rally in game two, trimming the deficit down to two following a two-run home run off the bat of Lindsay Ogden but the Bloodhounds couldn't complete the comeback, falling 5-4 in the nightcap after suffering a 10-0 defeat in game one.

Game 1 | John Jay 0, Stevens 10 (5 innings)
A six-run first inning proved to be the difference as John Jay dropped a non-conference contest to Stevens, 10-0, on Monday afternoon at Cougar Softball Field.
The Bloodhounds (6-13) were unable to recover from an early surge by the Ducks (13-10), who capitalized on timely hitting and patient at-bats to take control from the outset.

Stevens struck quickly in the top of the first, using a combination of aggressive baserunning and clutch hitting. After an RBI double from Carmelita Murphy-Brown opened the scoring, the Ducks loaded the bases and extended the lead on a bases-loaded walk. The decisive blow came moments later when Kacey Dipasquale launched a grand slam to left field, capping a six-run frame and putting John Jay in an early deficit.

The Ducks continued to apply pressure in the second inning, drawing multiple walks that led to two additional runs. Stevens added insurance in the third, highlighted by an RBI single from Jessica Hsu and aided by a John Jay fielding miscue, pushing the lead to 10-0.

Despite the early deficit, John Jay showed flashes offensively in the middle innings. Alyssa Cadolino reached base twice, including a single in the fourth inning, while Kendal Bryant and Sidney Bankston each recorded hits. The Bloodhounds' best opportunity came in the fourth, when Cadolino and Bryant delivered back-to-back singles, but Stevens worked out of the jam to preserve the shutout.

In the circle, Lindsay Ogden (4-6) took the loss after Stevens' early offensive outburst. Adrianna Barragan provided relief in the first, while Kiki Iglesias settled in over the final 3.2 innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) and keeping the Ducks scoreless over the final two frames.

Stevens' Jessica Hsu (4-6) earned the complete-game victory, limiting John Jay to three hits while inducing 10 ground-ball outs. Offensively, Murphy-Brown led the Ducks with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, scoring three runs and driving in one, while DiPasquale finished with five RBIs on her first-inning grand slam. Adrianna Albano and Riley Lawrence each contributed RBIs as part of a disciplined Stevens lineup that drew seven walks.
 
Game 2 | John Jay 4, Stevens 5
John Jay mounted a late push but could not complete the comeback, falling just short to Stevens, 5-4, in the second game of Monday's doubleheader at Cougar Softball Field.

The Bloodhounds (6-13) battled back from a five-run deficit and brought the tying run to the plate in the final inning, but Stevens (13-10) held on behind a late pitching change to secure the win.

After three scoreless innings on both sides, Stevens broke through in the fourth with a decisive five-run frame. Riley Lawrence sparked the rally with an RBI triple down the right-field line before coming around to score on a wild pitch. The Ducks continued to capitalize, as Emma Quattrochi delivered a two-run double and Madison DiSarno followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-0.

John Jay responded in the bottom half of the inning. Kelly Fajardo reached and later scored on an RBI groundout from Kayla Sauers, cutting the deficit to 5-1 and shifting momentum back toward the Bloodhounds.

From there, the John Jay pitching staff settled in. After taking the loss, Natalie Graham (1-5) kept the game within reach early, while Lindsay Ogden was effective in relief, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings and limiting Stevens to just one hit while stranding multiple runners.

The Bloodhounds chipped away again in the later innings. In the sixth, Fajardo worked a walk and Kendal Bryant laced an RBI double, continuing her strong day at the plate with two hits and a run driven in.

Trailing by four entering the seventh, John Jay made its final push. Sidney Bankston led off with a double before Ogden delivered the biggest swing of the day — a two-run home run to center field — trimming the deficit to 5-3 and bringing the tying run to the plate.

Stevens turned to Jessica Hsu in relief, and the right-hander recorded the final two outs to earn her first save of the season and halt the comeback attempt. Offensively, John Jay matched Stevens with six hits. Bryant led the way with two doubles and an RBI, while Fajardo scored twice and reached base twice. Ogden added a hit, two RBIs, and strong work in the circle, and Bankston contributed a key extra-base hit in the seventh. 

For Stevens, Quattrochi paced the lineup with two RBIs, while Lawrence's triple ignited the pivotal fourth inning. Disarno also drove in a run, and Kacey Dipasquale added a hit and scored once. Ella Tozduman (3-1) earned the win, allowing four runs over 6.1 innings.

The Bloodhounds commence CUNYAC play on Wednesday, April 1 as John Jay will travel to Brooklyn to tangle with the Bulldogs. First pitch is schedule for 4:00 p.m.