From NYU Athletics

The New York University softball team split its two games at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship on Friday, March 11, at the Seminole County Softball Complex in Altamonte Springs, FL.

The Violets (4-7, 3-4 UAA) opened their doubleheader by shutting out Case Western Reserve University 2-0 before falling to Washington University in St. Louis (13-2, 5-2) 9-8 in the second game of the twinbill.

In the opener, Diana King pitched the complete game shutout, allowing only four hits and walking no one while striking out two. She also drew two walks as the Violets' leadoff hitter.   

"Diana did a great job moving the ball in and out, changing speeds and keeping them off balance,"  said NYU Head Coach Now-Allah James.

NYU did all of its scoring in the top of the fourth. Kahala Bonsignore started the rally with a one-out double and Claire Stefanelli ended it with a long two-run home run to left field.

"Huge at-bat. Claire came through in a clutch moment when we needed it," James said. "There's nothing better than a big two-out hit."

King only allowed two base runners over the final four innings to secure the NYU victory..  

The  Violets took an early 6-0 lead In the second game against WashU, currently ranked #2 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), but couldn't hold off the Bears in the late innings.

NYU snapped a scoreless tie in the top of the third with four runs. Dakota Damiani's RBI single was followed by a three-run homer by Molly Webber.

The Violets went long ball again in the fourth as Carina Sturm and Diana King hit back-to-back jacks to give NYU its 6-0 lead.

However, the Bears bounced back with two in the fourth, three in the fifth and two in the sixth to tie the game 7-7. NYU had scored a run in the top of the sixth on Rachel Fulton's RBI single.

The Violets took an 8-7 lead in the top of the seventh on a RBI groundout by Cassi Parulis, but WashU rallied in the bottom of the inning to escape with the narrow victory.

"When you play a good team, you can't let them back into the ballgame," James explained. "You have to put them away when the opportunity is there, and we just didn't do it."

Game One Highlights:

- Allyson Schmus went 2-for-3.

- Sage Scheiwiller also had a hit for NYU.

Game Two Highlights:

- Webber went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.

- Fulton went 3-for-3 with a run and RBI.

- King was 2-for-4 with a run and RBI.

- Sturm also drew a walk and stole a base.

- Olivia Mould started for NYU and went 4.1 innings.