FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Panthers Win First Super Regional Since 2016.
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - For the second time in a week, the Adelphi softball team faced the adversity of having to win two games to stave off elimination in the NCAA Division II East Region Championship at Janet L. Ficke Field in Garden City.
And much like last weekend against Caldwell, the Panthers did it again in the Super Regional on Friday and are headed to the NCAA Division II National Championship for the first time since 2016.
Adelphi (47-13) twice broke out the bats in the fourth inning, en route to winning by 6-0 and 7-2 scorelines.
"I am so proud of the heart and grit of this team," said head coach Carla Campagna. "They never give in and play for each other."
Game 2: Adelphi 6, Wilmington 0
With Adelphi's backs against the wall, Lindsey Hibbs was very much in control in the circle. She pitched a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts -- tying her postseason-high this spring.
In the meantime, Alexa Sacripante put the Panthers on the board in the third with a two-out opposite-field RBI single. An inning later, Angela Lignelli singled home Lauren O'Neill and Ziara Shreter stepped into a two-RBI double to center, making it a 4-0 game.
O'Neill added her own RBI single in the fifth, while freshman pinch-hitter Brianna Pearson put the cap on the scoring with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly.
Even with runners on, the Wildcats couldn't seem to figure out Hibbs, who dialed in and struck out a combined four batters in the three innings that Wilmington had a runner in scoring position. Hibbs fanned back-to-back batters in the seventh to force a winner-take-all contest.
Shreter, who was stationed in the lead-off spot for the first time since Apr. 15, and Owens both turned in a 3-for-4 performance.
Game 3: Adelphi 7, Wilmington 2
Although a controversial obstruction call helped Wilmington to a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth, it wasn't going to impede Adelphi from its destiny.
In an overwhelming response in the last of the fourth, the Panthers put up a six-spot that carried them to victory.
Seven consecutive Panthers reached safely in the inning. After Ashley Lombardi was hit with a pitch to put runners on first and second, Lignelli and Shreter each found a hole for the game-tying and go-ahead RBI hits.
Faith Camilleri then walked to load the bases and Sacripante came through with a two-RBI double that would create all the separation the Panthers needed. Courtney Wengryn also beat out an RBI infield single, and Owens slashed an RBI single to left in the fourth.
Hibbs made the start, but Claire Fon came on early in relief and worked 6.1 innings of two-run ball for the win.
The Panthers will now travel to Denver, Colo. for the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship, which will be hosted by Metropolitan State University of Denver at the Regency Athletic Complex. The eight regional champions will be re-seeded for a double-elimination tournament from May 26-31, with a national champion being crowned at its conclusion.
Who's gonna be repping the East Region next week at nationals?
— Adelphi Softball (@AdelphiSb) May 20, 2022
Yep.
.@NCAADII East Region ������������������ for the first time since 2016!
RECAP ��: https://t.co/uHko7gzVne
We can't contain the excitement.#HailAdelphi #GoPanthers �� pic.twitter.com/jhNrr6OAPH
-Recap provided by Adelphi athletic communications-
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