Quense Tosses No-Hitter as Softball Wins Big over Bryant

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Greenville, N.C. – Fordham softball senior standout Lauren Quense became the fifth Ram to ever throw a no-hitter on Sunday as the Rams won big over Bryant, 16-0, to round out the Pirate Clash with a 3-2 record. The Rams improve to 7-3 with the win.
 
Quense hurled six innings with just one fourth-inning walk and three strikeouts to record her sixth victory in six attempts to begin the year. After two weekends and 10 games, the senior is 6-0 with a sparkling 1.11 ERA.
 
"I am excited and proud of Lauren for throwing her first no-hitter of the season. She has worked hard in the offseason and continues to impress us every day," Head coach Bridget Orchard said, "Sydney Canessa made a diving catch on the first batter of the game that helped set the tone. Lauren spotted all of her pitches and used her defense. She is showing so much confidence and poise and has been locked in since preseason started."
 
Skylar Johnston got the scoring started with a RBI single in the first inning, scoring Jessica Hughes, in what would prove to be all the Rams and Quense needed. Johnston again singled in Hughes in the third inning and Quense added to her own cause with a two-run single to center later in the frame to score Lindsay Mayer and pinch runner Maria Trivelpiece. Ally Vergona added a fifth in the fifth with a RBI single of her own, scoring Mayer.
 
Fordham busted out for 11 runs in the sixth inning to force the run rule. 13 Rams batted with one out during the run. Johnston started it with a walk and was replaced on base by Trivelpiece. Mayer and Madison Shaw each singled to load the bases for Quense who walked in the first run of the frame. Vergona blasted a double to left for two more runs and Morgan Figueroa's single drove in Quense. The junior stole second and Amy Van Hoven walked to load the bases again for Hughes. A wild pitch allowed Vergona to score and then Hughes ripped her fourth home run of the year to center, surpassing her tally from last year and giving her team a 13-0 lead. Sydney Canessa roped a double to right center, Trivelpiece singled, and after the former scored on a fielding error, Shaw's opposite-way triple plated the final two runs.
 
"Our bats came alive and it was awesome to see everyone get involved and contribute to the win. Different players stepping up at different times is what brings this team together." Orchard added.
 
One more runner would reach for the Bulldogs, on an error by Shaw at first, but Quense would get the final two outs quickly to make history.
 
Hughes finished 2-for-3 with the home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored, plus a walk and two stolen bases, while Mayer went 3-for-5 with four runs and a RBI. Shaw, Vergona, and Figueroa each had two hits, and Quense matched a previous career-high set earlier this weekend with three walks.
 
For the weekend, Shaw was explosive with a .600 batting average (9-for-15), three doubles and six RBI. Hughes played in just three games but batted .556 (5-for-9) with four runs, two home runs, five RBI, and three stolen bases. Mayer led the team with seven runs and Van Hoven paced the squad with four stolen bases. Canessa tallied six hits in 17 at bats, five of them doubles, and came around to score five times. Quense walked nine times in 15 plate appearances.
 
"The weekend was full of ups and downs. We are learning a lot about what we need to work on and also what we are doing well. They are very resilient and proud of how they bounce back after setbacks. We are ready to get back to work this week in the Bronx." Orchard said.
 
The Rams are in Orlando, Fla. next weekend for the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic I at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, facing off in exhibition play against a Czech Republic squad and later in the day against current #1 Florida. Fordham will also see Oakland, Elon, and Georgia Southern.