Feb. 17, 2012

Box Score

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Saint Joseph's senior pitcher Erin Gallagher set the program record for career strikeouts as the Hawks' softball team split its season-opening games at the Hampton Inn Invitational Friday afternoon at Campbell University. Saint Joseph's dropped the season-opener to Ohio University, 2-1, but came back for a 7-2 win against Towson in the second game.

Entering the day eight strikeouts shy of the all-time record, Gallagher quickly picked up five whiffs over the opening three innings against Ohio University. Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, Gallagher quickly dispatched of the first two batters on strikeouts, setting the stage for the record-setting moment.

With two out and no one on, Gallagher caught Timmie Rappe looking for the record-breaking strikeout to end the inning. Gallagher, who passed previous record-holder Lauren Cognigni's mark of 534, finished the game with 10 strikeouts and now has 537 for her career.

Saint Joseph's junior catcher Rochelle Christman tied the game at 1-1 with a solo home run to left center in the top of the fifth.

However, the Bobcats broke the tie with a run in the sixth for the 2-1 victory to hand Gallagher the loss despite the historic achievement.

In game two, the Hawks again fell behind early as Towson jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

Saint Joseph's answered though in the bottom half of the inning, as sophomore Morgan Earling delivered a two-run double that scored Bernadette Moran and Nicole Palase to tie the game at 2-2.

Junior Taryn Ashway took control in the circle from there, holding the Tigers at a distance, while her teammates added to the lead.

The Hawks led off the bottom of the third with consecutive singles from junior Dana Parks, Moran and Palase, bringing freshman Lauren Rendon to the plate. Entering the game in the second inning following a double switch, Rendon made her first collegiate hit a memorable one, drilling a grand slam to center field to give SJU a 6-2 lead.

Freshman Traneya White, who pinch ran for Earling after reaching on a Towson error to start the sixth, gave the Hawks a 7-2 lead as she scored on a throwing error as the Tigers tried to catch rookie Melissa Ruf stealing second.

In the circle, Ashway would complete the fourth and gave way to senior Lauren Pembleton for the final three innings to preserve the win. Ashway picked up the win after allowing just two runs over four innings, while striking out one. Pembleton earned the save, throwing three hitless innings of relief.