FAIRFAX, Va. – Following what can only be classified as a pitcher's duel, Saint Joseph's (23-21) graduate student Taylor Marinelli saw fit to conclude the opening round clash between the third-seeded Hawks and No. 6 Massachusetts (19-31) with a bit of offensive excitement, jacking a solo bomb over the right-field wall to cement a dramatic walk-off victory, 3-2, for SJU in Wednesday afternoon's opening round of the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship at the George Mason Softball Complex.
With the win, the Hawks progress to Thursday's mid-afternoon matchup within the winner's bracket, clashing against No. 2 overall Fordham at 2:30 pm ET at the George Mason Softball Complex. Massachusetts, meanwhile, falls into the consolation bracket and will face an elimination contest against fifth-seeded Dayton. Both contests will be broadcast live via ESPN+.
The combination of elite efforts in the circle from Emily Siler (13-11) of Saint Joseph's and Jessie DiPasquale (10-13) of Massachusetts set the tone throughout the matchup, as each tossed a complete game while surrendering a joint eight hits for two earned runs.
Offensively, the Minutewomen battled their way onto the board following two scoreless frames, as a Bella Pantoja single through the left side notched a score. Later in the fifth, Grace Cadden blasted a solo homer over the center-field wall, solidifying the UMass edge at two entering the final stretch.
Just a half-frame later, SJU senior Jordan Hinkle drilled a pitch into left field, plating a pair to knot the contest back two apiece; the tie game set up Marinelli for her solo dinger for the walk-off win.