April 22, 2008

Box Score

VILLANOVA, PA - The Saint Joseph's softball team split its doubleheader at rival Villanova Tuesday afternoon. Senior pitcher starter Lauren Cognigni led the Hawks to a 4-1 win in the nightcap after SJU dropped the opener 4-0 at Villanova Softball Field.

Saint Joseph's jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage in game two, taking advantage of a costly Villanova error. With one out, freshman outfielder Laura Cardone drew a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. On the bunt, Cardone attempted to reach third, forcing an errant throw by the Wildcats' second baseman and allowing Cardone to score to put SJU up 1-0.

Defensively, Cognigni set the tone early for Saint Joseph's, retiring the first six Villanova batters in order and allowing just two Wildcat base runners over the opening five innings.

Nursing a 1-0 advantage, the Hawks' offense tallied three runs in the top of the sixth, opening a 4-0 lead for Saint Joseph's. Sophomore catcher Brooke Darreff put the Hawks up 3-0 with a two-run triple, and would come around to score on a RBI-single by senior outfielder Kelsey Moir.

Up 4-0, Cognigni got into a jam in the bottom of the seventh, but worker her way out of it. Having scored a run and runners at second and third, Villanova brought the tying run to the plate. Thankfully for Saint Joseph's, Cognigni was solid, striking out Carolyn Brown looking for the second out and inducing Natalie Hord to pop out to second to end the game. Cognigni earned the complete-game victory after allowing just one run, while striking out five.

In the opener, the Wildcats opened up a 3-0 in the bottom half of the first against SJU starter Dani Gonzales. Lisa Curran gave Villanova a 2-0 edge on a two-run single to right field, while Becky LaMarca followed with a RBI single to open the Wildcats' lead to 3-0.

Saint Joseph's lone hit in the opener came in the top of the second off the bat of Darreff, with Villanova adding an insurance run in the bottom of the second on a triple by Jackie Dempsey.

The Hawks kept the deficit to four thanks to a solid performance from freshman reliever Lauren Pembleton. However Saint Joseph's offense failed to get on track despite Pembleton's three scoreless innings.

With the split, Saint Joseph's moves to 13-18 on the year, while Villanova moves to 17-25-1.

Saint Joseph's returns to action at tomorrow with a doubleheader versus Fairleigh Dickinson beginning at 3 p.m. at East Norriton Field.

***Photos from today are available at www.sidephotos.com.