Dillon Flanigan- Sports Editor
The softball team swept the Bloomfield College Bears of Bloomfield, New Jersey in a doubleheader. In the first game, they won 4-0, and the second game narrowly won 1-0 on Tuesday, March 26.
In game one, the offense was strong out the gate as center fielder Emily Lange, a senior, tripled and was brought home instantly on a double by right fielder Rachael Miller, a senior. Miller and catcher Karley Austin, a freshman, each singled in a run extending the Owls lead early. The fourth and final run came from a single in the fifth inning off the bat of first baseman Dominique DeLutri, a junior.

Starting pitcher Jessica Perucki, a graduate, dominated again, improving to a 4-2 decision record. Perucki gave up two hits and walked two while striking out seven in a seven-inning shutout.
“The pitching was phenomenal all over the course of the day,” Head Coach Jillian Rispoli said. “Jess Perucki and Madison Prior were absolutely lights out. They weren’t afraid of contact. They just went after batters and did their thing, and it worked out well for us today.”
As Perucki started the first game, Madison Prior, a junior, was selected to start game two.
“It was pretty back and forth. It was almost like a pitcher’s duel. And we finally had to get it done somehow. And we got it done,” Lange said. “Madison came up big for us in the seventh inning, getting that last strikeout.”
The outcome of the second game was decided on the mound for both teams. Starting her third game of the season, Prior gave up one hit, walking four and punching out five in the second shutout of the day.
Walters and Prior each allowed one hit through the first four innings. That would soon change for the Owls.
In the fifth, catcher Lorelei Stancavage, a freshman, singled to lead off the inning. After two quick outs, the lineup turned over to Lange. The leadoff hitter then doubled to the left-center field gap, scoring the Owls’ lone run.
“I was seeing the ball well, but I was getting out swinging at some of the stuff that was up there. So, I knew I had to get on top of the ball and ended up getting a line drive right over the shortstop’s head, which worked perfectly to get the run in,” Lange said.
In the doubleheader, Lange went a combined 4-7 with a triple and two doubles while scoring in a run and drove in the difference-maker in game two.
Closing out the game, Prior walked Bloomfield’s Danielle Walters leading off the seventh. Walters advanced to third with one out, meaning every pitch needed to be direct and calculated. Prior then struck out the final batter, sealing the narrow victory for the Owls.
“I was just trying to think about it, just focus on the batter and not the baserunner,” Prior said. “I tried to calm myself down, slow myself down. Just take it one pitch at a time.”