April 30, 2010

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's softball team took the early lead over its crosstown rival and made it stand up as the Hawks defeated La Salle, 5-1, on Friday afternoon in a game played at La Salle Softball Field. Senior Brooke Darreff was 3-for-3 on the day with a home run to lead SJU.

La Salle (13-25 overall, 2-13 Atlantic 10) scored first in the top of the second, on an RBI single by Liz Reed.

Saint Joseph's (24-14 overall, 8-5 Atlantic 10) went ahead in the bottom of the frame on a pair of solo home runs by Darreff and Deanna Stinner. Darreff led off the inning with a shot to left and, three batters later, Stinner's two-out line drive went over the wall in nearly the same spot.

The Hawks had a prime opportunity for more in the bottom of the fourth, but with two outs and runners at second and third, Stinner hit a looping fly ball into right that La Salle's Breanna DiTommaso caught on a dive to end the inning.

SJU iced the win in the bottom of the fifth when, with two on and two out, Bernadette Moran hit a three-run home run to right center to put the Hawks on top by four, 5-1, and close out the scoring for the game.

Hawk starter Erin Gallagher went six strong innings, allowing an unearned run on four hits, walking two and striking out five to improve to 19-7. Gina Massaro took the loss for La Salle, falling to 6-8.

The teams will face off once again on Saturday. First pitch is set for noon.