The St. John’s University softball team ended the second day of the Charleston Invitational with a split record, securing a 7-6 extra-inning win against Central Michigan and falling 6-5 to College of Charleston.
In the first game, St. John’s achieved its third consecutive victory of the season by outlasting Central Michigan in a 10-inning contest. The Red Storm collected 12 hits during the game and ultimately won on an Ana Serafinko double that brought home the deciding run.
Jess Bianco led St. John’s offensively, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Natasha Limbani contributed three hits, one RBI, and drew a walk. Serafinko added two hits and drove in the winning run in the tenth inning.
The team’s pitcher, who was recognized as BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year last season, threw 167 pitches and struck out 13 batters over nine innings.
St. John’s scored three runs early in the second inning but faced multiple comebacks from Central Michigan throughout the game. The Chippewas tied it at three in the seventh inning and briefly took leads in both extra innings before St. John’s responded each time to keep pace or regain control.
The Red Storm finally clinched victory after Elanna Lysiak tied it at six with an RBI single in the tenth, followed by Serafinko’s walk-off double to center field.
In their second matchup of the day against College of Charleston, St. John’s lost by one run after leading early on. Avery Neuman hit her first career home run—a three-run shot—in just her second at-bat for St. John’s. Bianco continued her strong performance at bat with two more hits.
St. John’s started quickly, scoring four runs in the first inning and adding another in the second to lead 5-0 early on. However, College of Charleston rallied over their next two turns at bat to tie it up by the end of third inning.
Loreley Francia pitched effectively for St. John’s later in the game, retiring nine consecutive hitters while Natasha Limbani turned a line drive into a triple play during defensive action in the sixth inning.
Despite these efforts, College of Charleston loaded bases with singles to open their half of seventh inning before bringing home a walk-off run on a line drive to right field.
Following Saturday’s games, St. John’s holds a record of 3-1 for this young season and will conclude its appearance at the Charleston Invitational tomorrow morning against George Mason at 10 a.m.
