April 27, 2013
Box Score
MERION STATION, Pa. - Playing its second tight contests in as many days, the Saint Joseph's softball team would come out ahead in the end Saturday afternoon as the Hawks downed Massachusetts, 5-4, in 10 innings at the SJU Softball Field.
Garnering the win, senior Taryn Ashwaymatched the SJU single-season record for wins, improving to 24-3 on the season as she struck out four, while allowing three earned runs over seven innings.
With the game tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the 10th, catcher Rochelle Christman singled to leadoff the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maria Ficca. Center fielder Dana Parks followed with a single to right field and a walk by left fielder Melissa Rufloaded the bases with one out.
Coming to the plate, shortstop Nicole Palasedelivered the crucial play of the game, smacking a shot to the UMass' shortstop that forced a rushed throw home. As Christman darted from third, the ball hit the Massachusetts' catcher's mitt, only to pop out and up the third base line, allowing Christman to score the winning run.
The Hawks (29-7-1, 12-4 Atlantic 10) jumped out to an early lead, plating two runs in the bottom of the first. With the bases loaded and one out, second baseman Sarah Yoos was hit by a pitch, scoring center fielder Dana Parks from third. Rookie designated player Brandi Harkness followed with a ground out to second base as speedy left fielder Melissa Rufrushed home to score to give the Hawks a two-run edge.
Massachusetts (15-20, 9-5 Atlantic 10) would tally three runs in the top of the third to take its first lead of the day. With two outs Christine Della Vecchia singled home Quianna Diaz-Patterson to make it a 2-1 game. Tiffany Meeks followed with a double into the right field gap that allowed Della Vecchia to score from first to tie the game. Teea Rogers would bloop a shot into shallow center field that dropped in just ahead of a diving Dana Parks, allowing Meeks to score the third run of the game for the Minutewomen.
Saint Joseph's would fight back to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth as catcher Rochelle Christman doubled down the left field line, scoring pinch runner Kerrie Kortmannfrom second to even the score.
The Minutewomen would regain the lead in the top of the sixth. Lindsey Webster, who reached on a SJU throwing error to start the inning, scored on a bloop single to right center off the bat of Samantha Gray.
Nicole Palase would help rally the Hawks back to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Palase doubled to right center. Third baseman Monica Aguilardrilled a shot to second base in the next at-bat, but the defender couldn't play the ball correctly, bouncing off the Massachusetts player and into the outfield, allowing Palase to score the tying run.
Saint Joseph's caps the home portion of its schedule on Sunday with a doubleheader against Rhode Island. Game time is set for noon with senior day ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m.
