March 25, 2012

Box Score

CHARLOTTE - Backed by two stellar pitching performances, the Saint Joseph's softball team opened the Atlantic 10 portion of its schedule with a doubleheader sweep at Charlotte on Sunday. The Hawks' senior pitcher Erin Gallagher scattered five hits in a 3-0 victory in game one, while junior pitcher Taryn Ashway struck out 11 in SJU's 2-1 victory in the second contest.

In the opener, Saint Joseph's (10-15, 2-0 Atlantic 10) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth as freshman Lauren Rendon drilled a two-run home run to left field that scored junior Dana Parks on the play.

Rendon would add an insurance run for the Hawks in the seventh, smashing a solo shot down the left field line to make it 3-0.

The three runs were plenty enough for Gallagher as she retired the 49ers in order to end the game. Improving to 5-7 on the year with the victory, Gallagher allowed five hits over seven inning for the complete game shutout and added six strikeouts.

In game two, a two-run top of the fourth proved to be the turning point as the Hawks grabbed the lead and never surrendered it. Parks scored the game's first run on a RBI triple off the bat of senior Bernadette Moran. Moran would come around to score SJU on a RBI single by Rendon a batter later.

Charlotte would add a run in the sixth, but Ashway got out of trouble with a pair of strike outs to end the inning and retired the 49ers in order in the seventh to preserve the win. With the victory, Ashway improved to 5-8 on the season after allowing the one run on one hit.

The Hawks return to action this Wednesday at Monmouth. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.