WILMINGTON, DE- Pace Softball have been eliminated today ending their 2023 season. They finish with a record of 27-25.

Following yesterday’s defeat to hosts Wilmington University, the Setters had to win the next two to have a chance at a spot in the NCAA Super Regionals. Because they lost to Georgian Court yesterday, Pace began the day facing the NE-10 rival Franklin Pierce University. This morning Wilmington beat Georgian Court meaning they play the winner of this game and the loser heads home.

Game 1

This game was a pitcher’s duel. Sophomore starter Giselle Garcia held the Ravens to no hits through 8 innings. Sabrina Gonzalez for Franklin Pierce also did not allow Pace to score. This game would require extra innings as runs were hard to come by. Pace had 0 runs, 7 hits 0 errors, Franklin Pierce had 0 runs 2 hits, and 0 errors through regulation. The Setters left nine on base through seven, and the Ravens stranded four.

Getting the ball remained difficult in extra innings. There was only one hit in the first three extra innings, an eight-inning single by sophomore third baseman Brianna Shea. Innings 9 and 10 were 1-2-3 up and down, meaning an 11th inning was needed. First up to bat for Pace was Brianna Shea. As she did in the 8th, Shea singled. She advanced on a bunt from Katerina Luna for a runner in scoring position.

Then errors came for Franklin Pierce. Riley Jenkins got on first on a fielding error. Raelle Gorman got walked, bringing home Shea and ending Gonzalez’s day. Two batters later a fielding error by relief pitcher Samantha Sylvester got Jenkins home and allowed a rbi single to Centerfielder Gwen Pederson to bring Kaylee Matsuda and Gorman home making it 4-0 Pace. A third Raven error by their shortstop scored Borino and before long Shea was back up to bat. She connected for the 3rd time today and it scored Pederson making it 6-0 Setters.

The Ravens would get two on Garcia who finished the inning for the complete game. A double by Bella Williams got 2 on the board for Franklin Pierce but it was not enough as The Setters would finish off the inning and the game.

Game 2:

The Setters had just 30 minutes of recuperation then it was back on the diamond to play the Georgian Court University Lions. The Lions awaited the winner of Pace vs Franklin Pierce in their position after a loss to Wilmington earlier today.

Pitching for Pace is junior Anna Acevedo who won her last start vs the College of Saint Rose on April 28. On the mound for GCU was Jackie Cherry a senior who was 10-7 up to this match.

Georgian Court broke the zeroes first when Kaitliyn Stufft singled to bring home Adrianna Mungo in the bottom of the first. The Lions would leave two on base at the end of the first, Setters leave one. They would get one in the top of the second. Brianna Shea got on base to start the inning for Pace. Riley Jenkins drew a walk and Jenny Gordon singled to load the bases. A fielder’s choice got Shea home and the game tied. However, Pace could not get one more back to the dugout and they would leave 2 on base. It would prove to hurt the Setters later in the game.

In the bottom of the third, the Lions got 3 hits and a walk that turned into four runs. Camille Dunham doubled scoring three of her teammates to cap the inning. It put the Lions ahead 5-1 and gave Cherry plenty of breathing room. Pace would struggle to get a hit the rest of the way. They would get on base just 5 times in the final 4 innings en route to the finish.

An up-and-down season comes to a finish in Wilmington. Pace finishes 4-2 on neutral softball diamonds. They head into the summer break losing just three players to graduation: outfielders Arianna Guarracino and Gwen Pederson, and infielder Carolina Iturriaga.