Bronx, NY - The John Jay College softball team swept Hunter College on Friday at Bahoshy Field, using timely hitting and dominant pitching from
Lindsay Ogden to secure a pair of hard-fought victories, 2-1 (9 inn.) and 2-1. The Bloodhounds improve to 15-20 overall and 8-2 in CUNYAC play, while the Hawks fall to 12-28 (6-4 CUNYAC).
Game 1: John Jay 2, Hunter 1 (9 Innings)
In a tightly contested opener, both teams were locked in a pitchers' duel through seven innings before the game was decided in extras.
Ogden was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete-game effort of 9.0 innings, allowing just one unearned run on five hits while striking out 10. She consistently worked out of trouble, stranding runners and keeping Hunter off the scoreboard through regulation.
Hunter broke through first in the top of the eighth under international tiebreaker rules. After placing a runner on second, Alejandra Aquino reached on a fielder's choice as a John Jay error allowed Brianna Flores to score, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
The Bloodhounds answered immediately in the bottom half.
Kelly Fajardo was placed on second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by
Natalie Polanco. After an intentional walk to
Kendal Bryant,
Alyssa Cadolino delivered a clutch sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1.
Ogden shut the door in the top of the ninth, stranding the go-ahead run at third to keep the game even.
In the bottom of the ninth, John Jay executed once again.
Natalie Graham advanced from second to third on a wild pitch before
Samantha Santana laid down a bunt and reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Graham to score the walk-off run and secure the 2-1 victory.
Game 2: John Jay 2, Hunter 1
The nightcap followed a similar script, with Hunter striking early before John Jay responded with a decisive inning and strong pitching down the stretch.
The Hawks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on a defensive miscue. Grace Basil came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Isabella Thumhart after reaching earlier in the frame.
John Jay answered in the bottom of the fourth. After
Kendal Bryant walked and stole second,
Natalie Graham delivered an RBI single through the right side to tie the game. Later in the inning,
Sidney Bankston came through with a go-ahead RBI single to center, giving the Bloodhounds a 2-1 advantage.
Ogden, who entered in relief after the opening inning, took control from there. The right-hander tossed 6.2 shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out six to earn her second win of the day.
Hunter threatened in multiple innings, including placing a runner on base in the seventh, but Ogden induced key outs to preserve the lead and complete the sweep.
Up Next
The Bloodhounds will defend their title in the upcoming CUNYAC Softball Championship and will await their opponent as tournament play begins Thursday, May 7.
