HOUGHTON, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo softball team swept Houghton on Thursday afternoon with a 10-0 shutout and a 14-3 win to be crowned Empire 8 regular season champions. The Knights closed out the regular season with a 28-9 overall record and a 19-3 mark in conference action.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Geneseo opened the scoring in the second inning when Molly Griffin delivered an RBI single to center, plating Lauren Babich. The Knights added a run in the third on a sac fly before breaking the game open with a five-run fourth inning. Sierra VanDerwarker began the rally with a two-RBI double to right-center, and Brooke Fraas followed shortly after with an RBI single to bring her home. Ray Schumacher capped the inning with an RBI single to right-center.
- Houghton's bats were still cold going into the fifth, as Geneseo entered the inning with a 7-0 lead. The Knights tacked on three more runs on five hits, securing a 10-0 shutout victory in the opener.
- In game two, Geneseo struck first with a run in the first inning before adding two more in the third on back-to-back RBI doubles from Schumacher and Babich. The Knights pushed across another run in the fourth, but Houghton answered in the bottom half with two runs to cut the deficit to 4-2.
- The Knights went on a tear in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring a combined six runs on seven hits. Griffin sealed the victory in the seventh, crushing a grand slam to give the Knights a 14-3 win.
QUICK FACTS:
- Gabriella Petroski picked up her seventh shutout in the circle, throwing 5.0 innings and only allowing two hits while striking out five. Nevaeh Ross earned the win in game two, throwing all seven innings with eight strikeouts.
- Griffin's grand slam marks her team-leading ninth homer of the season, paired with a team-high .636 slugging percentage.
- Schumacher went a perfect 4-for-4 in game two with an RBI and three runs scored.
- This marks the Knights first time winning the regular season and hosting the championship tournament since the 2022 season, where the Knights successfully defended their home field and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo has earned the right to host the Empire 8 Tournament, which will take place at Vic Raschi Field from May 7-10. Please stay tuned to geneseoknights.com and Geneseo Knights on social media for more information.
