Feb. 14, 2009

Box Score

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - The Saint Joseph's softball team capped play at the final day of the Campbell University Camel Stampede earning a split in its two contests. The Hawks fell to Bucknell 2-1 in the opener, but beat host Campbell, 8-6, in the nightcap to improve to 2-2 on the season and finish third in the tournament.

Versus the host Campbell University Camels in the night cap, Saint Joseph's jumped out to a 2-0 edge in the bottom half of the first. Sophomore Laura Cardone tallied the Hawks' first run, scoring on an error by the Camels' pitcher on a ground ball off the bat of junior catcher Brooke Darreff. Saint Joseph's added its second run as freshman third baseman Monica Aguilar came in from third to score on a wild pitch.

The Hawks extended their lead to 5-0 in the bottom half of the third as they scored three runs on five hits. Following a leadoff walk by Cardone, Aguilar followed with a RBI triple down the right field line to give SJU a 3-0 edge. Aguilar would come in to score on a sacrifice fly by Darreff in the Hawks' next at-bat. Sophomore shortstop Dana Bieniek followed Darreff with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. She would come around to score SJU's fifth run on a RBI single by senior Erika Rosenwinkel.

After Campbell rallied to cut the deficit to 5-2 in the top of the fourth, the Hawks answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to extend their lead to 8-2. Following a leadoff single by Cardone, Aguilar drilled her first career home run to left field. Saint Joseph's added its eighth run as freshman Heather Brabazon scored on an infield ground out by Rosenwinkel.

Down by six, the Camels fought back behind a two-run home run by Taylor McGee in the top of the sixth to cut the Hawks' lead to 8-4.

Campbell rallied to score two unearned runs in the top of the seventh off SJU senior pitcher Dani Gonzales, but Gonzales shut the door on the Camels, getting Karlie Love to pop up to end the game.

In the opener against Bucknell, Saint Joseph's tallied the first run of the game, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded and two outs, the Hawks took advantage of an error by the Bison's shortstop as freshman Hannah Adams scored from third on ball hit by classmate Bernadette Moran.

On the mound, freshman Erin Gallagher was solid for the Hawks, allowing just two hits, while striking out 11 over the opening six innings. Unfortunately for Gallagher and Saint Joseph's, Bucknell rallied in the bottom half of the seventh with a pair of runs to pull out the 2-1 victory. Alison Ford tied the game with a RBI-double, and advanced the go-ahead run from first to third base. With two runners in scoring position, Bucknell scored its winning run as Brittany Schlorff scored on wild pitch by Gallagher.

Individually, Aguilar went 4-for-6 on the day with three runs and three RBI, while Cardone finished 3-for-6 with three runs. On the mound, Gonzales improved to 2-1 on the season as she struck out seven, while allowing three runs on five hits. Both Gonzales and Cardone earned Camel Stampede All-Tournament Team honors for their two-day performances.

Saint Joseph's returns to action tomorrow Tuesday, February 24 vs. Delaware.