May 6, 2009

Box Score

BRONX, N.Y.--Saint Joseph's softball leapt out to a 3-0 run, but couldn't fend off fourth-seeded Fordham as the Rams won, 5-3, in Atlantic 10 Championship action. Monica Aguilar went 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI for the fifth-seeded Hawks, who had just one hit in the final four innings.

Saint Joseph's (23-19) got to Fordham pitcher Jen Mineau (18-11) early with patient hitting. Laura Cardone walked to lead off and then stole second base. After a Dana Beiniek pop up, Aguilar double deep to left center to score the game's first run.

Brooke Darreff wasted no time at her first at bat as she hit Aguilar home on a single on a 0-2 pitch to make it 2-0 Hawks. Darreff was stranded on second after a Rosenwinkel ground out and Dani Gonzales strike out.

The second inning started auspiciously for Saint Joseph's as Sue Lebow and Beka Shumock made two quick outs before Bernadette Moran doubled to center field.

Cardone smoked a pitch down the third base line through the glove of Jocelyn Dearborn and Moran was waved home. Lindsey Kay Bright of Fordam (37-20) fired a throw home but catcher Meghan Shager was called for obstruction allowing Cardone's run to stand for a 3-0 SJU lead.

Gonzales (13-12) cruised for the Hawks through the first three innings allowing just one hit and no runners past first base. Unfortunately for Gonzales and Saint Joseph's the Rams finally got to her as Bright singled down the left field line and would later advance to second on a wild pitch.

After Mary Beth Puccio lined out to Gonzales, the cleanup hitter Sam Pellechio singled in Bright and Pellechio ended up on second on the throw. Jessica Richards came in to pinch run for Pellechio.

Two pitches later, Jocelyn Dearborn doubled down the left field line to bring home Richards and get the Rams within one at 3-2. A ground out advanced Dearborn to third, who would be hit in by Beckah Williams to knot things up at three apiece

SJU went down one-two-three in the top of the fifth, allowing Fordham's hot bats to strike again. With two outs and two on, Dearborn chopped a slow roller to third where Aguilar fielded it and nearly got Dearborn out at first, but both runs scored on the throw.

Mineau coasted the rest of the way, allowing just one hit over the final four innings and closed out the game in one hour and 35 minutes.

The Hawks will await the loser of the #3 Saint Louis/#6 St. Bonaventure game, which starts at 3:21 p.m. Game time for the consolation match up is tentatively set for 5:45 p.m. at Bahoshy Field.