May 9, 2005
Box Score
EAST NORRITON, PA -
With more than a week's layoff since it clinched a spot in the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship, the Saint Joseph's softball team fell to Patriot League champion Lehigh 3-1 and 5-4 in the Hawks' regular-season finale at East Norriton Field.
In the opener, the Hawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as senior catcher Alicia Cunic blooped a RBI single to left field, scoring classmate Megan Richardson from third.
The Mountain Hawks, who earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Patriot League title last week, scored three in the top of the second to go ahead 3-1. Mendy Martin put Lehigh up two on a three-run home run of Saint Joseph's freshman pitcher Lauren Cognigni.
From there, Cognigni settled down, allowing no hits over the final five innings. Unfortunately for Cognigni, Saint Joseph's offense failed to score another run, as Lehigh prevailed 3-1. Cognigni was the hard-luck loser, allowing three runs on three hits, while striking out five. She falls to 13-10 on the season with the loss.
In the nightcap, Lehigh jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring a run in the first and third innings of Saint Joseph's sophomore pitcher Lauren Hughes.
The Hawks would rally to take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth as junior Katie McCann collected two RBIs on a single to right field. Cunic and Richardson also added an RBI apiece in the four-run fifth.
Lehigh would regain the lead in the top of the sixth as the Mountain Hawks collected three runs on two hits and one Saint Joseph's error. Martin put Lehigh ahead by one with a two RBI single to left field.
Saint Joseph's failed to score in the next two innings as Lehigh held on to win 5-4.
With the losses, Saint Joseph's enters the Atlantic 10 Championship as the third seed at 21-21. Lehigh, who will await their placement in the NCAA Tournament, improved to 41-8.
The Hawks will return to action Thursday, May 12, in the opening round of the A-10 Championship. Saint Joseph's will face the second seeded Massachusetts Minutewomen at 2 p.m. at Bahoshy Field in the Bronx, NY.
