April 17, 2009

Box Score

ST. LOUIS, MO - The Saint Joseph's softball team dropped a key series at Saint Louis Friday evening, falling 3-1 and 4-2 to the Billikens. The Hawks (18-17 overall, 6-6 A-10) return to action Wednesday in an Atlantic matchup at Temple.

In the opener, the Hawks took a 1-0 edge in the top of the second as junior Brooke Darreff's lead-off walk led to the first run of the game. Darreff came around to score on a RBI double by senior Erika Rosenwinkel.

The Billikens answered back in the bottom of the third, collecting three runs on two hits and a pair of Saint Joseph's errors.

The 3-1 score would stand up as SJU senior Dani Gonzales was the hard-luck loser after allowing no earned runs, while striking out five. As a team, the Hawks left four runners on base over the final three innings, including two in the top of the seventh.

In game two, a RBI single by freshman Monica Aguilar scored lead-off hitter Laura Cardone from second base.

Again Saint Louis made the Hawks' lead disappear quickly. This time, Rachel Heet's single off Gonzales brought around the Billikens' Kristin Nicoletti to score.

Saint Joseph's regained the lead in the top of the fourth. Following a leadoff double by Rosenwinkel, Gonzales delivered a RBI-single to put the Hawks up 2-1.

The Hawks would carry the lead into the bottom of the sixth. Unfortunately for SJU, the Billikens would knot the game at two all on a RBI ground out by Rachel Faletto.

Saint Joseph's persevered though, regaining the lead in the top of the seventh. Aguilar led off the inning with a double, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Darreff. The freshman third baseman came in to score as pitcher Emma DeKalb uncorked a wild pitch.

Unfortunately for SJU, the Billikens were able to rally with two outs to come from behind for a win. Heet singled off Gonzales with two outs, then would come around to score on a triple down the right field line by Nicki Jost. Jost would come around to score the winning run as the relay by the Hawks first baseman was misplayed, allowing Jost to score on an error.