Dayton Flyers

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 6-seeded University of Dayton softball team (22-25) fell 6-3 to the No. 3 Saint Joseph’s Hawks (29-14) in its first Atlantic 10 Tournament Game at Charlotte’s D.L. Phillips Softball Complex.

Junior Courtney Kutsulis was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Pinch-hitter Kasi Vazquez also had an RBI against the Hawks on Wednesday.

Freshman left-handed pitcher Alysha Isaacson made the start. She pitched 3.1 innings allowing one earned run on four total runs scored. Isaacson had two strikeouts and no walks. Sarah Wedel relieved Isaacson pitching 2.2 innings. Wedel has three strikeouts and allowed one earned run.

Saint Joseph’s took an early lead in the first inning scoring three runs to begin the game.

Senior Emily Stegeman made a great diving catch in the bottom of the third inning to end the inning, stranding one Hawk.

Courtney Kutsulis led the fourth inning off with a three-base error by the Hawks’ right fielder.  Kasi Vazquez, who pinch hit for Carlyn Harlow, grounded out to score Kutsulis and cut the Hawks’ lead to three, 4-1.

The Hawks tacked on a run in the bottom half of the fifth inning with a base hit to right field to take a 5-1 lead.

Kathleen Maloof led the Flyers with a leadoff double in the top of the sixth inning. Nacke was walked in the next at-bat to put two on base. With both runners in scoring position, Maloof scored on a wild pitch. Kutsulis followed that with an RBI-base hit to bring home Nacke and pull within striking distance, 5-3.

With two on base, Dayton appeared poised to take the lead when Dana Trotta lifted a pitch to deep left field however, that ball was snagged by Laura Cardone to end the scoring run by UD.

Saint Joseph’s scored a run in the bottom half to secure the 6-3 win.

Dayton resumes action at 6:00 p.m. ET against No. 4-seeded Temple as it prepares to battle its way through the tournament while facing elimination.