May 13, 2005

Box Score

BRONX, NY - The Saint Joseph's softball team's season came to a close today at the Atlantic 10 Championship in a pitchers dual for the ages. St. Bonaventure squeaked out a run in the top of the 12th and held on to down the Hawks 1-0 at Bahoshy Softball Field on the campus of Fordham University.

Sophomore Lauren Hughes was stellar for the Hawks as she allowed only three hits over seven innings of work as Saint Joseph's and St. Bonaventure headed to extra innings knotted at 0-0.

At the plate, the Hawks had their best chance to score in the bottom of the sixth as they loaded the bases with two outs. Unfortunately for SJU, senior Cara Deldeo popped out to end the inning.

Seeing action as a reliever in the eighth, Saint Joseph's Lauren Cognigni was sound, shutting down the Bonnies one-two-three over the next three innings.

On the other side, sophomore Christine Keleher was a standout for St. Bonaventure, allowing only three hits over the first 11 innings.

In the top of the 12th, Lauren Krieger led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Hawks were able to get the next batter out, but the Bonnies' Joelle Brunetto singled to center field, allowing Krieger to score the go-ahead run.

Needing to score a run to stay alive, the Hawks bats were silenced in the bottom of the 12th as Keleher retired the side in order as St. Bonaventure prevailed 1-0.

With the loss, the Hawks finish the 2005 season 21-23, finishing the year in the postseason for the fifth straight time.

Cognigni was the hard-luck loser, allowing one run on one hit in five innings of relief, while striking out nine. Hughes finished with one strikeout, but didn't figure in the decision.

At the plate, sophomore Rachel Pawlikowski went two-for-four, while Megan Richardson accounted for the only other Saint Joseph's run.

With the loss, the Hawks bid farewell to seniors Deldeo, Richardson, Robin Berry and Alicia Cunic who will all graduate tomorrow.