March 30, 2011

Box Score

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - The Saint Joseph's softball team jumped over all over Rider pitching early, scoring five runs in the first to boost SJU to a 6-1 victory. The Hawks got five-plus strong innings from junior pitcher Erin Gallagher as they improved to 20-11 on the season.

The Hawks opened the game with leadoff batters Dana Parks, Laura Cardone and Bernadette Moran reaching safely. With the bases loaded, junior Monica Aguilar grounded to the Rider shortstop, but was able to beat out the throw, while Parks scored from third to put SJU up 1-0.

Sophomore Shannon Kramer, the reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, followed with a bases-loaded walk that score Cardone to open a 2-0 gap. Moran scored the third run on a passed ball, but Aguilar was nailed at the plate on a fielder's choice off the bat of senior Taylor Korpita.

With two outs, the Hawks executed a perfect double steal as Korpita drew a throw down to second, allowing Kramer to score from third. Korpita would come around to score the fifth run on a RBI single by senior Dana Bieniek.

Kramer's second bases-loaded walk in the fourth accounted for SJU's final run, as junior Alaina Loguidice scored.

Gallagher was solid in the circle, allowing an unearned run in the third, while striking out six to earn the win. Redshirt junior Lauren Pembleton came in for the final five outs to preserve the win.

Cardone finished the game 3-for-3, with Parks going 2-for-3. Ever SJU batter reached safely on the day as the Hawks accounted for nine hits and six walks.

Wednesday's game was originally scheduled to be played at Drexel University, but was moved due to bad playing conditions.