March 9, 2005

Box Score

TROY, AL - The Saint Joseph's softball team dropped its season-opening double header at Troy University Tuesday evening, falling 5-1 and 3-0 to the Trojans.

In the opener, both teams went scoreless over the first two innings, before Troy got on the board in the bottom of the third. The Trojans' Amanda Ragans reached on an error to begin the bottom of the third, and advanced to second following a bunt-single by Tara Blackwell. With runners at first and second, Tamra Howren took the Hawks' Lauren Hughes deep over the centerfield wall to give Troy a 3-0 lead.

Saint Joseph's responded in the top of the fourth. Junior leftfielder Katie McCann led off with a single to right field, and advanced to second on a past ball. Following an SJU strikeout, McCann advanced to third on a ground out by senior catcher Alicia Cunic. With two outs, McCann would come around to score on a RBI single off the bat of senior shortstop Cara Deldeo.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Trojans allowed only two hits over the final three innings, while adding two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Troy continued their momentum into game two, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Ragans, Caurie Miller and Jenny Boyd each recorded a RBI to give the Trojans a three-run advantage.

On the mound, Laine Harcourt was untouchable, no-hitting the Hawks. Harcourt allowed only two walks, while striking out seven SJU batters.

For the day, McCann, Deldeo, Richardson and sophomore Rachel Pawlikowski (Wilmington, DE/Ursuline Academy) each recorded one hit, with Deldeo recording the lone RBI. Hughes fell to 0-1 on the season, allowing two earned runs, while striking out one in the opener. Freshman Lauren Cognigni dropped her collegiate debut, allowing three earned on seven hits, while striking out six.

Saint Joseph's falls to 0-2 with the losses, while Troy improves to 16-8.

The Hawks return to action Friday versus Eastern Kentucky at the Seminole Classic in Tallahassee, FL. Saint Joseph's opens play at 1 p.m. and caps the day versus host Florida State at 5 p.m.