Marywood University Pacers

Carey Action Photography

Softball 5/11/2022 6:00:00 PM

Softball Dances into ECAC Championship, Hosts Baruch in Thursday Finals

Marywood looks for just second ECAC title in athletics history

Scranton, Pa. — Marywood University will host Baruch College in the Eastern Colleges Athletic Conference (ECAC) Softball Championship on Thursday. The Pacers will take on the Bearcats in a winner-take-all, best-of-three series that begins at 11 a.m.

The second game is set for approximately 1 p.m. If necessary, the deciding championship game will be held at 3 p.m.

Marywood looks for just its second ECAC championship in athletics history. The women's soccer won the ECAC South Region championship in 2010.

It is the first meeting in program history between the two programs.

Scouting the Pacers

Marywood (26-9) is just one win short of the school record for single-season victories.

Injuries and illness decimated the Pacers' lineup in the Atlantic East Conference championship series. Cabrini University swept the Pacers in two games (3-0, 5-1).

Nina Kozar leads the Pacers with a team-high 1.129 OPS. Kozar sports a .443 batting average with 30 RBIs. Lindsey Jason is batting .400 with a team-high 30 runs from the leadoff position.

The Pacers enjoyed breakout seasons from Julianna Beidler (.361 batting average), Brooke McKay (.358 OBP) and Emily Rose (26 runs). Ashdon Clark transferred into the program from Division II Concordia (N.Y.) and led the Pacers with 11 doubles and 30 RBIs.

Samantha Baltrusaitis led the Pacers in home runs for the second consecutive season with four roundtrippers. Kristie Epler was selected as the team's MVP, thanks to her clutch hitting in key games. Annie Heyen tallied her 100th career hit on Sunday.

Abbey Stalter proved to be one of the top defensive outfielders in the region with a perfect fielding percentage. She had four assists from the right field, including a memorizing throw to third place for a double play in the Atlantic East title game.

In the circle, Mara Hamm (14-3) boasts a 1.30 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP, holding opponents to a .218 batting average. Gianna Marsico (11-6) allowed a 2.72 ERA and walked just 23 batters in 110 2/3 innings.

Scouting the Bearcats

Last weekend's rain forced the CUNYAC to move to a championship series between the top two seeds, ending Baruch's shots at an NCAA berth. Baruch had played just one game in the tournament with an 11-3 loss to John Jay in five innings.

The Bearcats posted a 21-16 record with no mutual opponents to the Pacers.

Baruch is led by Carly Quint at the plate and on the circle. Quint batted .508 on the season with a 1.380 OPS. She scored 41 runs with 64 RBIs and 26 extra-base hits. She was the team's top pitcher with a 3.90 ERA and a 10-6 record in 27 appearances.

In addition to Quint, the Bearcats had four other hitters with batting averages north of .400. Megan Bell hit .440 on the season with 20 stolen bases. Jessica Davis (.410), Bridge Campanelli (.405) and Julia Cuttone (.403) all led the Bearcats offense.

It is Marywood's first ECAC tournament since a 2017 loss at home to NYU. The Pacers also appeared in the ECAC tournament in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#16 Samantha Baltrusaitis: OF; 5' 3"; Junior; R-R

#21 Julianna Beidler: OF/P; 5' 7"; Senior; R-R

#4 Kristie Epler: UT; 5' 3"; Senior; R-R

#3 Mara Hamm: P/IF; 5' 2"; Sophomore; R-R

#22 Annie Heyen: C; 5' 5"; Graduate Student; R-R

#10 Nina Kozar: C/1B; 5' 8"; Junior; L-L

#26 Gianna Marsico: P; 5' 3"; Senior; R-R

#2 Brooke McKay: OF/1B; 5' 3"; Junior; L-R

#20 Emily Rose: SS; 5' 2"; Junior; R-R

#18 Abbey Stalter: OF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; L-R

Players Mentioned

#16 Samantha Baltrusaitis
: 5' 3"; Junior; R-R
: OF

#21 Julianna Beidler
: 5' 7"; Senior; R-R
: OF/P

#4 Kristie Epler
: 5' 3"; Senior; R-R
: UT

#3 Mara Hamm
: 5' 2"; Sophomore; R-R
: P/IF

#22 Annie Heyen
: 5' 5"; Graduate Student; R-R
: C

#10 Nina Kozar
: 5' 8"; Junior; L-L
: C/1B

#26 Gianna Marsico
: 5' 3"; Senior; R-R
: P

#2 Brooke McKay
: 5' 3"; Junior; L-R
: OF/1B

#20 Emily Rose
: 5' 2"; Junior; R-R
: SS

#18 Abbey Stalter
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; L-R
: OF