Adelphi University Athletics

Garden City, N.Y. – Adelphi University's softball team fell to St. Thomas Aquinas, 7-5, on Saturday afternoon in an extra-inning thriller, concluding its 2026 campaign in the finals of the East 2 Region tournament.

Series History:

• Adelphi entered the series 0-1 against STAC this season.
• Prior to today's game, the programs had faced off 12 times dating back to the 2002 season.
• Adelphi (37-23, 27-9 NE10) is now 9-4 all-time against the Spartans (36-12, 18-2 ECC).
• STAC will play in the Super Regional for the first time in the program's 47-year history.

• Emma Priest went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Ava Hershkovitz also recorded two hits while driving in a run and scoring once.
• Tori Parente tallied two hits in the contest, while Ellen Tarjan scored twice.
• Jenna Plue pitched four innings, allowing just one run while striking out four batters.

• The Spartans opened the scoring in their first at-bats. Following a pair of walks, STAC came through with a two-out single up the middle to take the early lead.
• In the bottom of the second, Adelphi responded with a two-run rally to move in front. After Tarjan drew a two-out walk, Hershkovitz drove her in with a double into the left-center gap. Following the extra-base hit, singles from Parente and Priest gave the Cats a 2-1 advantage.
• Three innings later, in the top of the fifth, STAC reclaimed the lead with a two-run home run to center field.
• In the top of the seventh, the Spartans extended their lead to three runs on a sacrifice fly and a Panther error.
• The Brown and Gold answered in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the seventh. Tarjan drew a walk before a pair of singles loaded the bases. An error by the Spartans allowed all three runners to score, tying the game and forcing extra innings.
• In the next frame, STAC regained the lead after a double and a walk put two runners aboard before the visitors delivered a two-run triple.
• In their final at-bats, the Panthers were retired in order.

• Head coach Katie Apostolopoulos now turns her attention toward the 2027 season following another successful campaign. Adelphi will graduate just three seniors, though all played impactful roles throughout the season. With much of the roster returning and valuable postseason experience gained, the Panthers will look to make another run at a Northeast 10 Championship and an NCAA Regional title next spring.