Cobleskill Softball Splits Day Three at Gene Cusic Classic, Tops Saint Joseph

FORT MEYERS, FLORIDA — The SUNY Cobleskill softball team wrapped up the third day of their Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic spring break trip with a split, falling to Geneva College in the morning before bouncing back with a convincing win over the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.).

Game One: Geneva 9, Cobleskill 1

The Fighting Tigers opened the day with a 9-1 loss to Geneva College in on Tuesday morning. 

Mackenzie Wendelken (Stuyvesant, NY/Ichabod Crane), Avery Prievo (Camden, NY), and Madelynn Orosz (Seymour, CT/Nonnewaug) each recorded a hit for Cobleskill. Jaydaci Chamberlain (Northborough, MA/Norfolk County Ag) went the distance in the circle, tossing six innings while allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits, striking out three.

Geneva struck early, plating two runs in the opening frame on a two-run triple. Cobleskill’s defense held firm, highlighted by a diving catch from Prievo in the second inning and a three-up, three-down effort from Chamberlain to keep the game within reach.

The Fighting Tigers threatened in the third when Jenna Smyczynski (East Aurora, NY) reached on a walk, then stole second and third on a pair of wild pitches, but Cobleskill was unable to bring her home. Geneva added another run in the fourth before breaking the game open with a four-run fifth inning, including a two-run triple and an RBI double to make it 7-0.

Trailing 9-0 in the sixth, Cobleskill finally got on the board. Prievo led off with a double to center, and Wendelken followed with an RBI single to left. The Fighting Tigers loaded the bases later in the inning, but Geneva escaped the jam to seal the win.

Game Two: Cobleskill 9, Saint Joseph (Conn.) 1

The Fighting Tigers rebounded in their second game, taking advantage of eight Saint Joseph errors to roll to a 9-1 victory.

Kailee DiGiacco (Spencerport, NY) led the charge, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a double, and two runs scored. Wendelken continued her strong day, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Smyczynski added a 2-for-5 performance. Orosz also chipped in, scoring twice and driving in a run while going 1-for-3.

First-year pitcher Gabriella Wendelken (Stuyvesant, NY/Ichabod Crane) delivered her first collegiate win with a dominant complete-game performance. She scattered nine hits over seven innings, allowing just one run while striking out seven.

Both teams finished with nine hits, but Cobleskill’s ability to capitalize on Saint Joseph’s eight errors proved to be the difference.

Cobleskill struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on Saint Joseph’s defensive struggles. Orosz laid down a well-placed bunt to bring home Prievo for a 1-0 lead. Moments later, DiGiacco legged out an infield single, and Smyczynski followed with an RBI base hit to plate Samantha Bargren (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine), making it 2-0.

The Fighting Tigers extended their lead in the fourth when DiGiacco ripped a double to left center, scoring Bargren. With the bases loaded, Wendelken lined a two-run single up the middle to push the advantage to 5-0.

Saint Joseph got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, but Cobleskill quickly responded in the fifth when Orosz crossed home on a wild pitch.

The Tigers put the game out of reach in the seventh, as DiGiacco drove in Brooke Irizarry (Florida, NY/S.S. Seward) with an RBI single to left before two more runs scored on defensive miscues by the Blue Jays, sealing a dominant victory.

Up Next

The Fighting Tigers conclude their Florida trip on Wednesday, March 12, with a doubleheader against Bethany College and RIT in Naples, Florida.