Box Score BOSTON – The Norwich University softball team saw its 2016 season come to an end on Saturday afternoon in a 6-1 loss to the Univ. of Saint Joseph (Conn.) at Roberto Clemente Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) loser's bracket action.
Norwich (17-19) finished in a tie for fifth place with Albertus Magnus after going 0-2 in the GNAC Playoffs. The Cadets also fell 5-0 to Emmanuel on Friday.
NU fell behind from the beginning and was never able to mount a comeback after USJ scored two runs in the top of the first inning on a two-run single up the middle by Mary Sciglimpagia.
Patti Sciglimpagia made the lead stand up from there as she threw a complete-game seven-hitter, allowing one earned run and striking out three en route to picking up her 18th win of the season.
USJ (27-11) broke a four-game losing streak to Norwich with the victory. The Cadets' offense was led by senior Payton Warner (Harwich, Mass.), who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a RBI. Freshman Emily Oliver (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) added two hits.
Freshman pitcher Rachel Johnson (Stockbridge, Vt.) got the start for Norwich, giving up nine hits and six earned runs while walking seven and striking out seven to finish the season at 9-10.
The senior trio of Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.), Taylor Morris (Haverhill, N.H.) and Warner end their standout four-year careers helping lead Norwich to a 70-67 record, three GNAC Tournament appearances and one GNAC regular season title.
Johnson & Wales ended up winning its second straight GNAC Tournament title, defeating Emmanuel in the championship game.
