May 1, 2009

Box Score

OLEAN, N.Y. - The Saint Joseph's softball team is headed back to the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Posting a 4-0 win at St. Bonaventure Friday afternoon at McGraw-Jennings Field, the Hawks have guaranteed themselves a spot in next week's conference postseason tournament.

The Hawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as senior pitcher Dani Gonzales blasted a one-out solo home run over the left field fence. The home run was the second of the season for Gonzales and 94th hit of her career.

After pausing play for a short period of time due to rain, St. Bonaventure led off the bottom of the second with an infield single off the bat of Kathryn Pazda, but Gonzales induced two straight ground outs and got Amanda Kotz to strike out swinging to end the threat.

Still leading by one, freshman third baseman Monica Aguilar led off the top of the fourth with a double to left center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Brooke Darreff. With one out, senior right fielder Erika Rosenwinkel drilled a double to right field, scoring Aguilar to put the Hawks up 2-0.

Saint Joseph's tried to add an additional run in the top of the fourth, but Rosenwinkel was thrown out at home as she tried to score from second on a single by classmate Beka Shumock.

The Hawks would add a pair of insurance runs in the top of the fifth, upping their lead to 4-0. Sophomore Dana Bieniek singled with two outs, and came around to score SJU's third run on a RBI double by Aguilar. Aguilar scored on the following play as Darreff singled to right field, giving the Hawks a commanding 4-0 advantage.

The Bonnies threatened in the bottom half of the sixth with runners at first and second and only one out. Gonzales remained focused though for SJU, getting a pair of strike outs to end the inning and threat.

With a berth in next week's Atlantic 10 Championship within the Hawks' grasps, Gonzales got leadoff batter Amanda Kotz to ground out to Bieniek at shortstop, and then followed with grounder back to the mound off the bat of Stephanie Narde. Needing just one out, Gonzales got pinch hitter Kara Morenus to pop out to end the game and secure a spot in the conference postseason tournament.

The victory improves SJU to 22-18 on the season and 8-7 in Atlantic 10 play. The win also marks the second time the Hawks have made the A-10 Tournament under head coach Terri Adams.