April 5, 2008

Box Score

AMBLER, PA - The Saint Joseph's softball team split its Atlantic 10 doubleheader with Saint Louis, winning the opener 6-1, but falling 6-4 in the nightcap.

Playing at Temple University's Ambler Field, the Hawks took quickly to their new surroundings. Saint Joseph's tallied its first run in the bottom of the first as freshman shortstop Dana Bieniek came around to score on a Saint Louis fielding error, after leading off with a double.

In the field, junior pitcher Dani Gonzales was stellar, limiting the Billikens to only one hit over the first six innings, allowing the Hawks' offense to take advantage.

Saint Joseph's tacked on a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two-RBI single by freshman center fielder Laura Cardone.

Up 3-0, Gonzales helped her own cause, drilling a three-run homer in the bottom half of the sixth to put SJU up 6-0.

Saint Louis added a run in the seventh, but Gonzales hung on for the win, allowing just two base runners, while striking out 11.

The Billikens jumped out to a 2-0 lead in game two's first inning, as Saint Louis collected three hits off Saint Joseph's senior pitcher Lauren Cognigni.

Saint Joseph's rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of a pair of Saint Louis errors. Bieniek came around to score the first SJU run on a RBI single by sophomore catcher Brooke Darreff, while Cardone tied the game at two on throwing error as Saint Louis another error.

After holding the Billikens scoreless in the second, SJU grabbed its first lead, 3-2. With two outs, freshman Maggie Prisinzano scored on a Saint Louis throwing error as the Billikens first baseman throw back to third was off the mark.

A two-RBI single by Rachel O'Connell put Saint Louis up 4-3 in the top of the third, but the Hawks again fought back to tie it, scoring a run in the bottom half of the fourth. Junior Erika Rosenwinkel tied the game as Saint Louis catcher attempted to throw out Roswenwinkel following a foul out, with the ball missing the mark.

After two scoreless innings, the Billikens took advantage of a pair of SJU errors, scoring two runs on a single by Allison Hopke, while Saint Joseph's failed to score over the final two innings as SLU hung on for the win.

With the split, Saint Joseph's moved to 3-3 in A-10 play and 7-13 overall. Saint Louis moves to 4-4 in conference play and 13-21-1 on the year.

The Hawks return to action this Tuesday, April 8, at Drexel.