MINNEOLA, Fla. — Behind a two-hit, complete game shutout from sophomore pitcher Michaela Hamill (Lynn, Mass.), the Endicott softball team blanked Rutgers-Newark, 3-0, in non-conference action on Monday morning at the Minneola Athletic Complex.
Hamill, who took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, only walked one batter and recorded one strikeout for her fifth career complete game shutout and first victory of the 2018 season. Hamill also was aided by a strong defensive effort from her infield - all the way around the horn - in her complete game shutout.
Rutgers-Newark starter Kelly Yusko (Portage, Pa.) suffered the loss (0-1) on six innings pitched, seven hits, three runs (all earned), one walk and two strikeouts.
Tied 0-0 in the second, Madison Mucci (Danvers, Mass.) broke up open the scoreless contest with a squeeze bunt that scored Adrianna Favreau (Tewksbury, Mass.) from third base. Favreau got the offense going in the inning as the freshman second baseman ripped a double off the left field fence and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt via Olivia Odermatt (Cheshire, Conn.) before scoring.
Endicott also added two more runs in the third when Jamie Hopgood (Warwick, R.I.) blasted a two-run homer over the center field fence to make it a 3-0 ball game. The home run was the third of Hopgood's career.
Hamill dominated the rest of the way retiring the side in order in the third, fourth and sixth innings and only allowed two runners to reach scoring position for the remainder of the matchup.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Endicott is 1-0 all-time against Rutgers-Newark.
- The Gulls 3-0 start matches their 2017 start (North Park, W 6-1 | Amherst, W 6-5 | Keene State, W 4-0).
- Endicott has posted a .357/.404/.476 slash line (.avg/.obp/.slg) to begin the 2018 season.
- Hamill's shutout is the second for the Gulls this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott takes on Smith College later today at 3 PM.
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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)