GAME ONE LIVE VIDEO | GAME TWO/THREE LIVE VIDEO
WATERVILLE, Me. (May 6, 2021) – The SUNY Delhi softball team used their 10-6 NAC West season (12-6 overall) to clinch a spot in this weekend's NAC Tournament. The Broncos earned the second and final seed in the NAC West. They will play at western top-seed Cazenovia in a best-of-three series beginning Saturday, May 8. Both sides are set to play the opening game Saturday, with the second and, if necessary, third games played Sunday (dates subject to change in event of inclement weather).
Third-year head coach Meagan Stone and her Broncos make their first NAC postseason appearance in their debut year in the conference, despite being ranked five out of five in the NAC West Preseason Poll. For many of Delhi's juniors and seniors, they have come full circle with their winning fortunes, climbing out of a winless 2018 season with an 11-win campaign in 2019. The team posted three victories in 2020 prior to the season's untimely cancellation. The Broncos opened their 2021 season with a 6-0 start, beginning with a non-conference doubleheader sweep at Wells, then taking four-of-four over NAC-foe SUNY Canton. SUNY Delhi and Caz split their series at SUNY Delhi, with the Wildcats taking the first two on April 18 and the Broncos taking the last two on April 19. Two runs or less decided all four games, with the winning runs coming in the seventh inning in three of them.
"When the preseason poll came out and we were ranked last, we knew we had to work hard and prove ourselves, which is exactly what we did!" stated Coach Stone. "We are thrilled to have made the tournament and even more excited to continue playing, especially for our seniors."
Over in the NAC East, Husson secured the top seed with a 16-0 league record. Maine Presque Isle and Thomas will square off in a one-game playoff this Friday to determine the second seed. The division winners will face off at the NAC West winner's site for a best-of-three championship series the weekend of May 15.
Sophomore pitcher/infielder Katelynn Rose and freshman infielder Kitty Messina earned NAC weekly honors during the season, with Rose being named Player of the Week and Messina Rookie of the Week. Rose holds a 7-2 record in the circle, posting a 3.56 ERA with 11 strikeouts and 78 hits allowed in 57 innings pitched. At the plate she leads the team with 17 RBIs, holding a .337 batting average (20-for-53) with three doubles. While injuries and being a two-sport student-athlete in track & field limited Messina to just five games thus far, she will be in the lineup for this weekend's series. The freshman is 7-for-14 at the plate for an even .500 BA, administering two doubles and six RBIs. Her career-debut performance at Wells accorded her not just NAC Rookie honors, but also USCAA National Player of the Week. First-year pitcher and utility player Mel Papuli picked up USCAA Pitcher of the Week accolades. She holds a 5-4 record on the season, ranking third in the NAC with 52 strikeouts, including two 11-strikeout games.
