Philadelphia, Pa. - (5/5/2021) – Chestnut Hill College built their lead with four runs in the third inning and protected it with four more runs in the top of the sixth inning; the 8-1 lead was enough for the Griffins to endure for a 9-5 upset of #4 Thomas Jefferson University (Jefferson) in today's 2021 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Softball Championship Tournament Opening Round game. Three Griffins recorded multiple hits, sophomore second baseman Samantha Toro (Brick, N.J.) was one of them. She was 2-for-4 with run-scoring singles in both of the Scarlet and Gold's big innings. Junior shortstop Madison Petroski (Sicklerville, N.J.) (1-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI) helped plate three of Chestnut Hill College's four sixth-inning runs with a base-clearing double to left field. Senior Julianna Barry (Northridge, Calif.) earned the win (2-9), allowing five runs on eight hits and five walks. She struck out two in the complete game performance.
 
Chestnut Hill College (3-26) was first on the scoreboard with four runs in the top of the third inning. Junior catcher Victoria Grillo (Staten Island, N.Y.) led off the at-bat with a single to right field, quickly moved to second base on a wild pitch, and third soon after on a Petroski fielder's choice. Petroski drew the attention of the Jefferson (17-10) defense with a steal of second; fortunately, the Ram catcher tossed the throw down into centerfield and allowed Grillo to become the game's first tally, 1-0. Afterwards, run-scoring singles from Toro, senior centerfielder Devon Horner (Mt. Laurel, N.J.), and senior third baseman Nadine Arredondo (Stephenville, Texas), 4-0.
 
Jefferson cut into the Griffin lead with a run in the bottom of the frame, 4-1, but the tally meant little after Chestnut Hill College doubled their run total with a four-run sixth inning. There, a two-out error, a Grillo single through the box, and a single from senior left fielder Taylor Carter (Fort Washington, Pa.) loaded the base for Petroski's double to left field. 7-1. The eighth Griffin run came in on Toro's following single to right, 8-1. With the game in hand, Barry navigated through Jefferson's own four-run sixth inning, 8-5, and recovered some insurance before recording the final three outs of a 9-5 final.
 
Chestnut Hill College continues CACC postseason play tomorrow, Friday, May 5, as they travel to #5 Post University for a 2:00 p.m. quarterfinal contest.