April 12, 2008

Box Score

AMHERST, MA - A pair of errors in the sixth proved costly to the Saint Joseph's softball team as the Hawks fell to Massachusetts, 4-1, Saturday afternoon at the UMass Softball Complex. For the second day in a row, the Hawks got another stellar pitching performance from junior pitcher Dani Gonzales, but three unearned runs in the sixth proved to be the difference in the game.

The Hawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first behind a RBI double off the bat of junior right fielder Erika Rosenwinkel. After leadoff batter Dana Bieniek reached on a hit-by-pitch, Rosenwinkel drilled a one-out double to center field, scoring Bieniek to put SJU up 1-0.

Massachusetts tied the game at one in the bottom of the second, behind a RBI double by Carly Normandin.

In the top of the sixth, Saint Joseph's had an opportune chance to regain the lead, loading the bases with no outs and chasing Massachusetts' starter Bailey Sanders. Unfortunately for the Hawks, relief pitcher Brandice Balschmitter retired the next three Saint Joseph's batters to squash the Hawks' threat.

With the score tied at 1-1, Gonzales was able to get two outs, but a pair of Saint Joseph's errors, allowed Massachusetts to load the bases. The errors proved costly as Whitney Williams followed smacked a two-run single to center field, putting the Minutewomen up 3-1. Massachusetts would add another run on a RBI single by Lauren Proctor and take a 4-1 advantage into the top of the seventh.

A Saint Joseph's rally came up short in the seventh as Balschmitter retired SJU in order to end the contest.

With the loss, the Hawks fall to 3-5 in Atlantic 10 play and 7-16 overall. Massachusetts improves to 10-0 in conference play and 23-11 overall.

At the plate, Gonzales, Rosenwinkel and sophomore Brooke Darreff were the lone Hawks to collect a hit on the day.

Saint Joseph's caps its road swing Sunday with a doubleheader at Rhode Island. Game one begins at noon.