April 16, 2010

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Saint Joseph's softball team took a 2-0 edge into the bottom of the seventh Friday at Charlotte, but an error with two outs proved costly as the 49ers tallied three runs for a 3-2 victory over the Hawks.

Saint Joseph's (18-13, 3-4 Atlantic 10) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth as sophomore Bernadette Moran singled home rookie Dana Parks from second base.

Moran plated the Hawks' second run in the top of the seventh on a 49er fielding mistake. Freshman Rochelle Christman tried to advance Moran from second with just one out, but Charlotte's pitcher, Emily Jeffery, threw away the ball, allowing Moran to score.

Saint Joseph's sophomore ace Erin Gallagher allowed the first two Charlotte batters to reach in the bottom half of the inning before giving way to freshman Taryn Ashway.

Ashway held the 49ers at bay for the moment, striking out two in a row to move SJU one out away from the victory.

However, Charlotte (28-12, 7-2 A-10) answered back. Lindsey Holloman singled in the first run, and advanced the runner to place 49ers at first and second. Following an infield single to load the bases, Charlotte's Kendra McCall's shot down the first base line that was misplayed by the Hawks' first baseman, allowing the tying and winning runs to score.

Individually, Gallagher was charged with one earned run, while striking out six over six innings of work. Ashway was the hard-luck loser, falling to 4-7 on the year despite giving up no earned runs in 0.2 innings. At the plate, Moran accounted for two of SJU's four hits, with Parks and sophomore Monica Aguilar each collecting one hit.

Saint Joseph's and Charlotte cap their two-game series Saturday at noon.