AMHERST, MA (05/09/03) - Saint Joseph's scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out a dramatic 3-2 win over Fordham in its first game of the day on Friday at the Atlantic 10 Tournament. The Hawks had nothing left after that, however, as Temple took the final game of the day, 6-0. The Owls, 22-19, advance to Saturday's championship round against the host UMass Minutewomen while SJU ends it season at 25-15.
In the opener, junior Lindsey McNamara hit a solo homer, her fifth of the season, in the first inning to open the scoring for SJU. In the fifth, Brandy Kean and Jamie Dautel led off the frame with singles. Hawk hurler Dana Travis then struck out Catie Brandl and Amy Jones with Kean and Dautel posting a double steal on Brandl's strikeout. Uvy Pollock then hit a pop to Robin Berry at second, which she misplayed, allowing two runs to score.
Things did not look good for SJU heading into the bottom of the seventh. Fordham had their 22-game winner Michelle Schlichtig on the mound and SJU had the bottom of the order at the plate.
Freshman Jill Clementi, who had three hits in the tournament, led off with a walk. Berry the reached on a fielders choice as Clementi beat the throw to second. Gale Treskot then moved the runners to scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Adams then reached on a fielders choice, scoring Clementi to tie the game at 2-2. After Cara Deldeo struckout, Megan Richardson laid down a bunt, which was fielded cleanly by Dautel but her throw to Amy Jones covering first base was dropped allowing Berry to come home with the winning run.
Travis (12-7) allowed just five hits while striking out seven in the game.
In the nightcap, senior Liz Naughton (10-6) tossed her first shutout of the season, allowing four hits and striking out four. Temple loaded the bases in each of the first two innings off losing pitcher Brandie Adams (8-3), scoring single runs in each frame.
SJU three straight singles in the third by Treskot (2-3 in the game), Katie McCann and Deldeo to load the bases with no one out. Then Naughton pitched out of her only jam of the game, retiring the heart of the SJU order, Richardson, McNamara and Cunic in order.
Temple picked up two insurance runs in fourth and sixth innings to close out the game.
SJU says goodbye to three seniors with its final game, Adams, Desiree McGhie and Treskot. All starters that put forth fine careers on Hawk Hill. The trio will be missed.