St. Lawrence University Athletics

St. Lawrence senior short stop Elle Gray wrapped up her college softball career on Saturday afternoon, celebrating a non-traditional Senior Day in Troy, New York.

The Saints lost a pair of games to Rensselaer; the first game came down to the final at bat, with the Saints trailing 3-2 and the bases loaded, while RPI ran away with the second game, winning 13-1.

The games were originally scheduled to be played at Saints Softball Field in Canton, but an inclement weather forecast forced the Senior Day celebrations to be moved three-and-a-half hours southeast to the home of the Engineers.

A brief ceremony was held prior to the first pitch of the first game, in which Gray's achievements — of which there are many — were read to the crowd. A Sikta, Alaska, native, Gray was joined on the field by her parents, Janet and Dan.

Gray finished her career ranked in the top-10 in program history in 15 statistical categories, including second in doubles (33), third in runs scored (88), and fifth in hits (129) and RBI (66). After graduation, Gray plans to continue playing and will enter the coaching field for the Sundsvall Mosquitos Softball Club in Northern Sweden.

"This team has been amazing to coach," said St. Lawrence head coach Elisa VanKirk. "They put in the work all season long, they fought, and are amazing people. I am very grateful to Elle for all of her hard work the last four years. It was been an honor to be her coach. The future is very bright."

The Saints finish the season 18-16 overall and 2-12 in the Liberty League, while Rensselaer improved to 26-8, 8-4.

RPI 3, St. Lawrence 2
With the Saints batting as the home team, Rensselaer scored single runs in the second and third innings, but St. Lawrence responded to tie the game in the bottom half of the frame each time. 

Kyla Anderson got RPI started with an RBI single up the middle in the second, but Gabby Slater hit an RBI single of her own to tie the score. Maddie Provencher hit a two-out RBI single in the third to give the Engineers a 2-1 advantage, but the Saints once again tied it up, this time after Taylor Armijo led off with a double to left center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Angelina Carney.

The Saints turned a spectacular double play in the fifth inning, as second baseman Slater flipped the ball to Gray, who threw it on to first in time, but with no outs in the inning, Jessica Torch scampered home from third to give the Engineers the lead for good.

The Saints put runners on base in each of the final three innings,  but Rensselaer starting pitcher Jaime Cleasby got out of every jam, including a bases-loaded, nobody out situation in the seventh inning.

Lauryn Best led off with a double down the right field line, and Armijo followed with a single. After Gray worked a walk, Cleasby retired the next three batters in order on a strikeout, an infield fly and a groundout.

Cleasby earned the win with a complete-game effort, allowing eight hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Caroline Young was the tough-luck loser, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout and three walks in a complete game.

RPI 13, St. Lawrence 1 (5 innings)
Quin Garant hit a three-run home run in a seven-run second inning, as the Engineers defeated the Saints in five innings in an eight-run rule shortened game.

Sofia Adams led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to account for the Saints' only run.

Veronica DeStefano and Allie Hunt were  both 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI for the Engineers. Cam Caswell was also 3-for-4 with a double. Garant added an RBI double to her home run to finish 2-for-2 in the nightcap, while Erin Askins was 2-for-4 with a double and a triple.

Erika Holowka earned the win for RPI, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts in four innings of work. Jessica Torch finished the game, allowing Adams' solo home run before retiring the next three batters.

Gabby Slater took the loss, allowing seven runs (three earned) on eight hits with one strikeout in 2.2 innings of work. McKailey Lyndaker allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits with one strikeout in 2.1 innings.