CLERMONT, FL – The Alfred University softball team started its 2025 campaign with a pair of wins in Florida, shutting out Regis College and then defeating Montclair State on Sunday afternoon.
The Saxons (2-0, 0-0 Empire 8) scored a total of 29 runs on the day including 22 in a five-inning, mercy-rule win over the Pride (0-2, 0-0 GNAC), defeating them, 22-0, breaking the Alfred University school record of 21 runs in a single game (2008 and 2010 both at Cazenovia). They also broke the school record for most stolen bases in a game with 13, breaking 2023's record of nine when the Saxons hosted Alfred State College. Finally, the Saxons tied the school record for most RBI in a single game with 19, tying the 2008 Cazenovia game. AU closed the day out with a 7-2 win over the Redhawks (0-1, 0-0 NJAC).
"For day one I was very happy with our performance," Head Coach
Luke Wesneski. "The girls came out ready to play and put the ball in play hard, which allowed us to be aggressive. Our pitchers were very good today, but need to continue working on some little things and getting used to Florida heat. Offensively we had some big clutch hits at the right moments. That was the difference in game two. We will clean up a few defensive miscues and get ourselves ready for two more tomorrow."
Game One (5 Innings)
Regis College – 0 | Alfred University – 22
The bats were alive for the Saxons as almost the entire roster was able to get into the game with all but two scoring runs.
Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill), Molly Whitmyer (Enola, PA/Trinity) and Brielle Wark (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) all registered three RBI for AU with Vidal recording three runs on her 2-for-3 performance at the plate. On the bases, AU totaled 13 stolen bases, led by Vidal's four thieveries.
The Saxons totaled 14 hits and 19 RBI while not committing a single error, defensively. Loretta Sorochty (Batavia, NY/Nortre Dame Batavia) picked up her first collegiate win inside of the pitching circle. She got the start for AU, pitching 3.0 innings to strike out five batters.
In the top of the first inning, Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) singled to bring home Vidal, which would go down as the game-winning run. The shot also brought in Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) to put AU up 2-0 as that was all they needed for the win.
Game Two
Alfred University – 7 | Montclair State – 2
The Saxons got off to an early lead when
Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON, Canada/Assumption Catholic) grounded to the Montclair shortstop, who, after a bad throw to first base, opened an opportunity for Vidal and Remm to both score for the 2-0 lead. The Redhawks scored the first run of the day against the Saxon defense on a misplayed attempt to catch the runner stealing second base in the top of the second.
Whitmyer drove in the game-winning run with a deep home run to left field that brought home Alexis Martinez (Anaheim, CA/Woodbridge), making it a 4-1 Saxon lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Saxons tacked on three more runs in the fifth inning, one from Vidal on a Remm sacrificed fly, and two off of a Gatza home run down the left field line that brought home
Sabrina Diaz (West Palm Beach, FL/Forest Hill) for the 7-1 lead.
Gatza's bat led the way in the second game of the day, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, a double and her homer. Vidal also registered a double.
Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY/Randolph) picked up the win inside of the pitching circle, recording eight strikeouts in the seven-inning stay.
The Saxons will next take on Lake Forest College on Monday, March 10 at 3:00pm.
--Swords Forward Saxons--
