Kilcoyne Pitches Perfect Game to Lead Emmanuel into GNAC Softball Playoff Berth

BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman pitcher Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) pitched a five-inning perfect game and freshman first baseman Susie Kieselback (Wethersfield, Conn.) belted two homers to lift the Emmanuel College softball team in a doubleheader sweep over Anna Maria College Saturday afternoon at Roberto Clemente Field. The Saints captured game one, 8-0, followed by an 8-1 game two victory to improve to 17-20 on the year and 9-13 in GNAC play. The losses drop the AMCats to 3-31 and 1-21. With the victories, EC secured at least the No. 8 spot in next week's GNAC tournament for their first post-season appearance since 2004. They could potentially move up to the No. 7 spot depending on other results around the league.

GAME 1

Kilcoyne tossed a perfect game, retiring all 15 batters she faced to power EC to the 8-0 win in five. Kilcoyne recorded 10 strikeouts, no hits and no walks to lift the Saints to a pivotal win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Emmanuel threatened in the fourth, loading the bases without a hit, but Anna Maria junior pitcher Nichole Lowe (Saugus, Mass.) worked her way out of the jam as the Saints stranded the bases loaded to keep the score at 0-0.

EC sophomore outfield Marianne Halas (Lynn, Mass.) recorded the game's first hit with a single to left to lead off the fifth. Senior catcher Julia Levins (Uxbridge, Mass.) followed it up with a bunt single before sophomore shortstop Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) loaded the bases with a single to left. A single through the left side by sophomore second baseman Kerianne Vulpis (East Rockaway, N.Y.) put Emmanuel on top, 1-0, and chased Lowe from the game.

Senior designated player Jennifer Garrity (Lynn, Mass.) and freshman left fielder Samantha Adams (Sanford, Maine) welcomed the AMCats new pitcher with patient at bats, both drawing walks to make it 3-0. Freshman first baseman Susie Kieselback (Wethersfield, Conn.) delivered the big blow, connecting on a grand slam over the right centerfield fence to make it 7-0.

Senior third baseman Kayla Howard (Belmont, N.H.) kept the inning going with a single to left after a 10 pitch at-bat and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by freshman outfielder Cassey LePage (Somerset, Mass.). Following an error that moved Howard to third, Levins connected on an RBI single to right to end the game early with the 8-0 score through five, to give Kilcoyne the perfect game.

Lowe suffered the loss for Anna Maria, allowing four runs on four hits. Sophomore Angela Vousboukis (Swampscott, Mass.) finished the game, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits.

*Release courtesy of Emmanuel College sports information