March 22, 2005

Box Score

EAST NORRITON, PA - The Saint Joseph's softball team swept today's doubleheader versus Lafayette with a 3-2 win in extra innings to open the day and a 3-2 win in the nightcap at East Norriton Field.

In the opener, the Hawks threw freshman hurler Lauren Cognigni against the Leopards. Cognigni, who threw a perfect game in SJU's 9-0 win over Lafayette this past Saturday, again brought her best. Cognigni held Lafayette scoreless over the first six innings, giving up only two hits.

At the plate, Saint Joseph's was unable to muster anything over the first five innings as well. But in the bottom of the sixth, the Hawks plated two to take a 2-0 lead. With two outs and senior shortstop Cara Deldeo at second, sophomore first baseman Rachel Pawlikowski drilled a two-run home run over the centerfield wall.

Following a walk to start the top of the seventh, Saint Joseph's was able to retire the next two batters to come within an out of ending the game. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Kristen Ruckno took a Cognigni pitch deep over the centerfield wall to tie the game at two.

Saint Joseph's failed to score in the bottom of the seventh, while Lafayette went scoreless in the eighth.

In the bottom half of the inning, with sophomore Lauren Pachioli at third with one out, senior Megan Richardson hit a sharp grounder off the glove of Lafayette's pitcher, allowing Pachiloi to score the game winner.

In the nightcap, SJU jumped out to 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Richardson scored on a wild pitch.

The Hawks would go up 2-0 in the bottom of the third as Deldeo homered to left field.

Lafayette rallied in the top of the sixth to tie the score as Jackie Fitzgerald and Erin Pawlak recorded RBIs.

The score would remain the same heading into the bottom of the seventh, as Deldeo led off the bottom half of the inning for the Hawks. Deldeo made sure this game wouldn't go to extra innings, hitting a walk-off home run to left field off of Lafayette's Lauren Belowich.

On the day, Deldeo went four-for-seven with three runs, two RBI and two home runs, while Pawlikowski finished two-for-six with two RBI, one run scored and one home run.

On the mound, Cognigni earned the victory, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out 10 in eight innings of work. Sophomore Lauren Hughes earned the victory in the nightcap, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out six in seven innings.

With the victories, the Hawks improve to 5-9, while Lafayette falls to 1-12.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Saturday when it hosts Fordham at noon.