April 10, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's softball team dropped a heartbreaking doubleheader to Atlantic 10-leading Massachusetts Friday afternoon at Good Shepherd Field. The Hawks fought back to force extra innings in game one, but eventually fell 4-3 in 10 innings and dropped the nightcap, 8-0, in six innings.

In the opener, the Hawks (16-15, 4-4 Atlantic 10) jumped out to a 2-0 edge as they plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Facing reigning Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Brandice Balschmiter, Saint Joseph's junior catcher and reigning A-10 Player of the Year Brooke Darreff drew the first blow in a match-up of two of the conference's best players. Darreff singled through the left side of the infield, scoring senior Beka Shumock and sophomore Laura Cardone to put SJU up 2-0.

Massachusetts (23-6, 8-0 A-10) struck back in the top of the fourth though as Kyllie Magill's solo home run to left field ruined Saint Joseph's senior pitcher Dani Gonzales' perfect-game attempt.

The Minutewomen added a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to take their first lead of the game, 3-2.

Down one heading into their last at-bat, the Hawks got a leadoff walk by sophomore Dana Bieniek, who quickly advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With the tying run at second, Darreff came through for Saint Joseph's, blooping a hit into shallow left field. Bieniek came around third and slid past the tag of Massachusetts' catcher Jessica Serio. As the Minutewomen protested the call, Darreff tried to advance to third, but was thrown out.

Gonzales stranded two Massachusetts runners in the eighth, but the Minutewomen were able to grab the lead, 4-3 in the top of the 10th. With a runner at third, Magill drilled a two-out single up the middle, grazing off Gonzales and allowing Davina Hernandez to score the go-ahead run.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, they were unable to rally in the bottom half of the inning as Balschmiter retired them in order to end the game.

In game two, Massachusetts struck early and never let up. Sarah Reeves hit a two-run home run off Gonzales in the top of the first to give Massachusetts a two-run edge.

The Minutewomen tacked on three runs in the third and a run in the fourth, while their pitcher, Sara Plourde, held SJU hitless. The Hawks did manage to have their leadoff hitter reach in the first five innings, but no Hawk was able to record a hit, nor come around to score.

A two-run home run to center field off the bat of Michelle Libby in the top of the sixth gave Massachusetts an 8-0 lead.

Saint Joseph's freshman third baseman Monica Aguilar ruined Plourde's no-hit bid with a single to lead off the bottom of the sixth, but the Hawks failed to plate her and extend the game.

The Hawks host Rhode Island at noon Sunday at Good Shepherd Field.

***Photos from today's game available at www.sidephotos.com.