March 28, 2010

Box Score

AMBLER, Pa. - The Saint Joseph's softball team dropped a pair of Atlantic 10 contests to Saint Louis on Sunday in the Hawks' home opener at Ambler Field. Despite a career-best 16 strikeouts from sophomore pitcher Erin Gallagher, Saint Joseph's fell 2-0 in 12 innings in game one before falling 6-0 in the second contest.

In arguably the pitcher's dual of the year in the Atlantic 10, Gallagher and Saint Louis' Kelcie Matesa mirrored each other inning for inning.

Saint Joseph's (13-10, 0-2 Atlantic 10) best bet to score came in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded and two outs. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Matesa was able to get sophomore Monica Aguilar to ground out to second base to end the threat.

Rachel O'Connell nearly gave Saint Louis the lead to start the top of the ninth, but her drive down the left field line hooked at the last second, landing foul over the wall. Gallagher would shut down the Billikens over the next three innings, keeping the game tied at zero.

The Billikens (14-10, 4-0 A-10) did break through in the top of the 12th with a pair of runs. With a runner at first and one out, Saint Louis' Laura Bohning hit a hot-shot back to Gallagher. In a close play at second, the runner was called safe, giving the visitors two on with one out. Following a ground out and a walk, Kristin Nicoletti delivered a two-run single just past second base and into the outfield, plating the game's only two runs.

Saint Joseph's sophomore Bernadette Moran singled to lead off the bottom of the inning, but a double play in the ensuing at-bat killed SJU's threat as Matesa ended the game with her 18th strikeout.

In the nightcap, Caitlin Trevillyan came around to score from third base on a misplay by SJU's defense to give the Billikens a 1-0 edge in the top of the second. The ball was weakly hit between the pitcher and catcher and Trevillyan safely dashed home and slid in safely before the Hawks could apply a tag.

A RBI by O'Connell extended Saint Louis' lead to 2-0 in the fifth as the Billikens went on to add four runs in the seventh to earn the 6-0 victory.

Saint Joseph's freshman Taryn Ashway was the hard luck loser in game two, allowing all six runs, despite striking out five. Gallagher fell in the opener despite scattering just three hits, while striking out 16.

The Hawks return to action this Wednesday at Delaware. The single game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start.