April 21, 2010

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's sophomore pitcher Erin Gallagher's bid for a no-hitter was spoiled in the top of the seventh, but the Hawks' ace picked up her 15th win of the year as the Hawks topped Lafayette, 4-1, Wednesday afternoon at Vidas Field.

Gallagher stifled the Leopards' offense in the early going, retiring the first 15 batters to start the game. Lafayette's biggest threat of a hit to that point came as Stacey Dorn led off the top of the fifth with a hot shot to right field. Saint Joseph's freshman Dana Parks made a superb break on the ball, scooping it up and throwing Dorn out at first to preserve the no-hitter.

The Hawks (19-14), who jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on a RBI single by senior Brooke Darreff, opened up a 4-0 lead with three runs in the fourth. Darreff scored the game's second run on a double off the top of the centerfield wall by freshman Rochelle Christman. Christman scored on a RBI single by classmate Deanna Stinner, with sophomore Alaina Loguidice singling in the Hawks' fourth run.

Three outs away from her second no-hitter of the season, Gallagher's bid fell short as Stacey Kushner blooped a hit into center field, sneaking by the glove of junior Laura Cardone. Lafayette (13-27) added an unearned run, but Gallagher remained in command, finishing with five strikeouts over seven innings, while allowing just one hit to improve to 15-7.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Friday in the opening game of a two-game series against George Washington. Friday's game is at 3 p.m. at Villanova University with Saturday's game set for a noon start.

***Photos from today's game can be found on from www.sidelinephotos.com.