April 20, 2007

Box Score

EAST NORRITON, PA - Saint Joseph's junior pitcher Lauren Cognigni continued to etch her name in the Hawks softball record book, this time posting her second no hitter of the season as the Hawks downed Rhode Island 2-1 Friday afternoon at East Norriton Field. It wasn't the typical no hitter and it took some help from the Hawks' offense in the bottom of the seventh to secure the achievement.

With the score knotted at one in the bottom of the ninth, senior outfielder Christa Lane Hooper reached on a fielder's choice and in the next at-bat, advanced to second on a wild pitch by the Rams' Katie Halcomb. Following the wild pitch, Saint Joseph's sophomore outfielder Kelsey Moir drilled a single up the middle into centerfield, scoring Hooper from second to give the Hawks the 2-1 victory.

It wasn't an easy or pretty win for Saint Joseph's though. The Hawks gave up the first run in the top of the second as Rhode Island took advantage of a leadoff walk and a fielding error by SJU's third baseman that allowed runners at the corners. Despite being able to get the second out of the inning, fielding woes struck again in the next at-bat as Rhode Island's Melissa Wilson scored from third as the Hawks second baseman misplayed a grounder by the Rams' Christine Gentile.

Despite posting four errors on the day and stranding seven runners, the Hawks managed to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth as freshman designated player Alyssa Neilson led off with a solo home run to left field to tie the game at one.

From there, Cognigni retired the next nine URI batters in order, while the offense stepped up in the seventh for the victory

Cognigni, who earlier this season posted a no hitter versus Robert Morris and also has a perfect game to her credit, allowed one unearned run, while striking out six to earn the victory. Moir finished 3-for-4 on the day, while Neilson went 1-for-2 with a walk.

With the win, the Hawks improve to 5-6 in the Atlantic 10 and 12-19 overall. Rhode Island falls to 7-25 overall and 1-7 in conference play.

Saint Joseph's and Rhode Island will cap their two-game series tomorrow, April 21, at noon at East Norriton Field.