WINDSOR, Conn. – The Norwich University softball team saw its 2021 season come to a close in an 8-0 defeat in six innings to the Univ. of St. Joseph (Conn.) on Tuesday at the Fast Pitch Nation Softball Complex.

The No. 3-seeded Blue Jays rattled off eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, capped by a walk-off grand slam by Amanda Thiel over the left center field fence to punch USJ's ticket into Thursday's semifinal round.

USJ (13-6) spoiled an otherwise brilliant pitching performance from Norwich freshman Annika Beebe (Marianna, Fla.) through five innings. The rookie ace carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Riley Mulligan finally broke through with a weak single up the middle that just got past Beebe's glove and Liliana Rolfe (Plainville, Mass.) couldn't get over in time to make a play at shortstop.  

Norwich (3-10) senior catcher Elizabeth Niven (Londonderry, N.H.) notched two hits to lead the Cadets' offense, while junior centerfielder Dara Kelly (Chesterfield, N.J.) also had a bunt single to account for all of Norwich's hits in the game. NU put base runners in four of the six innings, but they were never able to muster any serious threats to score on USJ pitcher Alessandra Milardo.

Milardo picked up the complete game win with a three-hitter and six strikeouts to improve to 5-3 on the season.

The Cadets' best chance to score came in the top of the second inning after Niven hit a one-out single and then stole second base on a strikeout. However, she was stranded at second to end the threat. 

Beebe opened the bottom of the sixth getting Taylor Verboven to ground back out to her. However, that's the last out the Cadets would record as Beebe walked Ashlee White and then Frankie Ferrante laced a double to right center field to put runners on second and third. Milardo helped herself with a RBI single to score White and the Blue Jays continued to seize control of the game from there.

Julia Annecchiarico singled to left center to score Ferrante and make it 2-0 USJ.

Norwich's defense then had two miscues with a fielder's choice error and then another fielder's choice that failed to record an out at the plate allowing a third run to score. Mulligan then walked to push home the fourth run before Thiel ended the game with a grand slam over the left center field fence to clear the bases.

Beebe took the loss, working 5.1 innings, seven earned runs and three walks while striking out five.

USJ continued its playoff dominance over Norwich, ending the Cadets' season for the fifth time, knocking NU out in 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2021. The Blue Jays also extended their slim lead in the all-time series to 23-21.