May 4, 2012

Box Score

(By Nikki Philpot)

Merion Station, Pa - Behind a 13-hit effort, the Saint Joseph's softball team defeated St. Bonaventure, 10-0, in five innings in Atlantic 10 conference action on Friday afternoon at the SJU Softball Field.

Saint Joseph's (19-27-1 overall, 8-10-1 A10) came out offensively strong and never looked back as they recorded 13 hits in the first three innings of the game. Eight of the nine starting Hawk hitters recorded at least one hit in the win.

Senior Bernadette Moran led the Hawk offense, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Moran also scored two runs and stole one base for Saint Joseph's.

Freshman Nicole Palase collected two hits and drove in two runs while classmate Melissa Ruf also recorded two hits and scored three runs. Sophomore Rochelle Christman went 1-for-1 with a three-run homerun and walked twice.

The Hawks wasted no time as they put up four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning. Ruf, who singled to left and stole second, scored on a Moran single up the middle. Moran then stole second and freshman Lauren Rendon drew a walk to put runners on first and second for Saint Joseph's before Christman hit her third homerun of the season, a shot over the left field fence, to extend the Hawks lead to 4-0.

Ruf started off the home half of the second in similar fashion as she once again singled to left. Moran followed by beating out a bunt down the third base line and Christman walked to load the bases. With two outs, Palase singled to left to score both Ruf and Moran to strengthen Saint Joseph's lead, 6-0.

In the bottom of the third, the Hawks tacked on an additional four runs to make the score 10-0. With Parks and Ruf on first and second for Saint Joseph's, Moran came through with her third hit of the day, a single to left-center, to score Parks. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Christman walked to bring in Ruf before sophomore Maria Ficca drove a two-run double to right-center to drive in two more runs for Saint Joseph's.

With the loss, St. Bonaventure falls to 17-24 overall and 6-11 in Atlantic 10 action.

Senior Erin Gallagher (10-14) earned the win, facing 17 batters and scattering just three hits in five innings of work.

The Hawks return to action on Saturday when they take on St. Bonaventure in Game Two of the A10 conference series. Game time is scheduled for noon at the SJU Softball Field.

Game Notes: This afternoon, Saint Joseph's and St. Bonaventure took part in the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Strikeout Cancer with pink bases and pink ribbon on the field honoring all of those who have battled breast cancer. Three representatives threw out the ceremonial first pitch.