March 21, 2012

Box Score

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MERION STATION, Pa. - Thanks to a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth by sophomore Maria Ficca, the Saint Joseph's softball team opened its new field with a 1-0 victory over Rider on Wednesday. Playing their first game at the new SJU Softball Field, the Hawks returned to campus for the first time since 1990 and earned the extra-inning victory in game one, but feel 4-2 in the second game.

In a pitchers' duel between SJU's Erin Gallagher and Rider's Rachael Matreale, it was the Hawks who came out the victor.

After playing to a scoreless tie over the first seven innings, Saint Joseph's would plate the crucial run with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Senior Bernadette Moran led off with a double to center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Following a one-out walk to Rochelle Christman, Ficca blooped a shot up the middle that landed beyond second base safely, allowing Moran to score the winning run.

In the circle, Gallagher was dominant scattering two hits, while striking out five to improve to 4-7 on the season.

Moran, who picked up the first hit on the new field with a single in the bottom of the first, finished 2-for-3 for the game.

In game two, Rider opened game two with a run in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly by Samantha Pugh that plated Alyssa Paul from third.

The Hawks answered in the bottom of the inning as a double to left field by Lauren Rendon scored Moran from second.

Rider plated two in the top of the fifth, scoring the first run on a RBI single to right field off the bat of Gina McCool, scoring Heather Muscara from second. McCool, who advanced to second on her hit, scored the Broncs' third run, taking advantage of a SJU throwing error on a ball hit to shortstop.

A double to the center field track by Moran got the Hawks within a run as Dana Parks scored from first with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. But that would be as close as they'd get as Rider added an insurance run in the seventh to earn the win.

Junior Taryn Ashway was the hard-luck loser, striking out four over seven innings of work.

Both Parks and senior Alaina Loguidice went 2-for-3 in game two.

The Hawks (8-15) return to action this Sunday when they open the Atlantic 10 portion of their schedule at Charlotte.

GAME NOTES: Christina Kowalski and Renie Shields threw out the ceremonial first pitch today...Father Nicholas Rashford S.J. Blessed the field prior to the first pitch...Photos from today's game and pregame ceremony are available at www.sidephotos.com