STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook University softball team defeated Drexel, 7-6, in walk-off fashion on Sunday at University Field. The victory completed a weekend sweep, clinched a postseason berth and represented the Seawolves' 16th consecutive win, setting a new program record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Ashton Melaas got the win out of the bullpen for Stony Brook. Melaas tossed four shutout innings, giving up two hits, no walks and striking out six.
- Offensively, the Seawolves were paced by Alyssa Costello, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a double and a run batted in.
- Alicia Orosco put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-5 with an RBI.
- Catherine Anne Kupinski also helped out for Stony Brook, with a hit, a walk and an RBI.
- The Seawolves were trailing 1-0 in the third inning when an RBI single from Kyra McFarland scored Costello from second base to tie it.
- The score stayed at 1-1 until the fourth inning, when the Seawolves' offense exploded for five runs. Three consecutive run-scoring hits from Sofia Chambers, Costello and Orosco gave Stony Brook a 4-1 lead before McFarland and Kupinski plated runs to push the advantage to five.
- Drexel then rallied to tie the ballgame at 6-6 thanks to a grand slam in the fifth and a two-out RBI single in the sixth.
- Stony Brook walked it off in the bottom of the ninth on a fielding error off the bat of Emily Reinstein, allowing Corinne Badger to score.
STATS AND NOTES
- With today's victory, Stony Brook clinched a CAA postseason berth for the second consecutive season.
- The victory was Stony Brook's 16th consecutive, a new program record.
- Stony Brook's 16-game win streak is tied for the second longest active streak in all of Division I.
- The Seawolves' 12 straight wins against a conference opponent is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the nation.
- During its win streak, Stony Brook has outscored the opposition 100-25.
- Stony Brook improved to 2-0 in extra-inning contests this season.
- McFarland extended her hit streak to a team-leading 18 straight games.
- Kupinski has now reached base safely in 16 straight contests. Julianna Sanzone has reached base safely in 14 straight games and Badger extended her reached-base streak to 12 consecutive games.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"It was a really tough ballgame and I'm really proud of our team for grinding it out and getting an important win for us," head coach Megan T. Bryant said. "The big thing is that this team is playing for each other and they found a way to get it done."
NEXT UP
Stony Brook heads to Iona for a meeting with the Gaels in New Rochelle on Tuesday, April 23. The Seawolves and Gaels are set for a 3 p.m. first pitch from Donald E. Walsh Field, with the contest streaming live on ESPN+.
For an inside look at the Stony Brook softball program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
