April 23, 2010

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - For the second-straight game, Saint Joseph's sophomore pitcher Erin Gallagher puzzled opposing batters, holding George Washington to just two hits in a 3-0 victory Friday at Villanova's Softball Field.

Gallagher improved to 16-7 overall as she allowed just an infield hit in the sixth and a blooping-single in the seventh. She posted a game-high 10 strikeouts, while walking three and ultimately kept the Colonials off the base path.

Offensively, the Hawks took control in the bottom of the first as they plated a pair of runs. Junior Laura Cardone scored the game's first run on a RBI double to left field by sophomore Bernadette Moran. After advancing to third on a groundout, Moran upped SJU's lead to 2-0 on a RBI single by classmate Monica Aguilar.

The combination of Moran and Aguilar struck again for the third SJU in the bottom half of the third inning. Moran, who reached on a single would ultimately come home on a RBI single off the bat of Aguilar.

Up 3-0, Gallagher confused the GW batters, taking a no-hitter into the sixth. Unfortunately for the second time in as many games it was a weakly struck ball, this time falling between the catcher and third base, to ruin Gallagher's no-hit bid.

Making up for it, she quickly doubled off the runner on a comeback line drive and would keep the Colonials off the board in the seventh as SJU improved to 4-5 in the Atlantic 10 and 20-14 overall.

Offensively, Moran and Aguilar combined to go 5-of-6 as the Hawks totaled eight hits.

Game two of the series will begin at noon on Saturday at Villanova University.