April 22, 2015

Final Stats

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior Allison Cukrov (Irvine, Calif.) and junior Jane Sallen (Lake Worth, Fla.) teamed up to throw 14 shutout innings in the Stony Brook softball team's (23-13, 9-2 AE) sweep of UMass Lowell (15-25, 4-9 AE) on Wednesday afternoon at University Field. Junior Allie Pisciotta (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) hit a two-run homer in game one to lead Stony Brook to a 3-0 victory, then Cukrov hurled a one-hitter in game two, a 2-0 win.

Bryant's Reaction

"These were two really important wins for us today," said head coach Megan Bryant. "We had to grind these out. Pitching and defense carried us today and we were able to scratch out a few runs to get two wins."

Game One

Sallen started game one, working out of multiple jams to keep the River Hawks off the board through the first five innings. The Seawolves squandered a threat of their own in the third, failing to get a run home after loading the bases with no outs. Pisciotta broke the scoreless tie in the fifth with a two-run line drive home run to left field, scoring sophomore Lexie Shue (Lakewood, Calif.). 

The Seawolves added another run in the sixth when senior Shayla Giosia (Runnemede, N.J.) doubled and later scored on a wild pitch. Cukrov replaced Sallen in the sixth inning, pitching the final two innings to earn her first save of the year. 

Game Two

The afternoon game was all about Cukrov. She gave up a bunt single to lead off the game then retired the next 21 batters in order to earn her fifth shutout of the year and 32nd of her storied career. The offense manufactured runs in the third and sixth innings. With the bases loaded and one out in the third, freshman Chelsea Evans (Merced, Calif.) hit a comebacker to the mound. The runner from third was forced out at home but the catcher's throw to first in attempt to turn a double play squirted away, allowing Shue to score from second. Sophomore Kellie Reynolds (Paso Robles, Calif.) added an rbi single in the bottom of the sixth to close out the scoring. 

Notes

• Cukrov, the reigning America East Pitcher of the Week, has thrown 23 consecutive scoreless innings, allowing just 6 hits during the stretch. She has allowed just two runs in her last 35 innings. 
• Shue was the offensive standout, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. 
• Senior Bria Green (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.) and junior Diane Caruso (Middletown, N.Y.) also had two hits. 
• Stony Brook has won its last 11 conference series dating back to 2013. 

Up Next

Stony Brook travels to Seton Hall tomorrow, April 23., for a 4 p.m. game vs. the Pirates. Stony Brook took both games from Seton Hall the last time the two schools met in 2013.