April 21, 2013

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

ST. LOUIS - A two-run home run by senior Rochelle Christman helped the Saint Joseph's softball team split its doubleheader at Saint Louis on Sunday. After falling 4-2 in the opener, the Hawks took game two in nine innings thanks to the two-run shot by SJU's starting catcher.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the top of the seventh in game two, the Hawks got the tying runs to second and third with no outs, but the Billikens retired the next two SJU hitters. With one out to go, junior Maria Ficca delivered a clutch two run double to right field that scored Sarah Yoos and Brandi Harkness to make it a 3-3 game.

In the circle, senior Taryn Ashway would limit Saint Louis batters in the seventh and the eighth. Coming in for relief in the sixth, Ashway worked out of a bases loaded bottom of the eighth getting a pop up and a strike out to end the threat.

With the score tied in the top of the ninth, Harkness led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Deanna Stinner. Coming to the plate, Christman drilled a shot over the centerfield wall to put give her team its first lead of the game, 5-3.

Ashway would make the lead stand, retiring the Billikens in order in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win.

Harkness would finish the game 3-for 3 with a RBI and two runs scored, while Ashway moved to 23-2 on the season with the win in 3.1 innings of work. Rookie Liz Mendez got no decision for the Hawks after throwing 5.1 innings and giving up three runs, only one of which was earned, while striking out nine.

In game one, the Billikens (20-18, 6-6 A-10) took a 4-0 lead early on a grand slame home run in the bottom of the third.

Saint Joseph's rallied with runs in the fourth and fifth to make it a 4-2 game. Yoos singled home Melissa Ruf in the fourth, while pinch runner Kerrie Kortmann scored in the fifth as Ficca was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Unfortunately for SJU, the Hawks couldn't rally as the Billikens held on for the 4-2 win.

Saint Joseph's moves to 28-6-1 overall with today's split and 11-3 in the Atlantic 10. The Hawks return to action this Wednesday when they host Lafayette at 4 p.m.