WILMINGTON, N.C. - The Saint Joseph's softball team opened the 2015 season in impressive fashion on Friday as the Hawks topped UMBC 13-2 in six innings in the opening game of the Landfall Park Hampton Inns Invitational.
Junior third baseman Brandi Harkness and rookie right fielder Nikki Alden each slammed grand slams and rookie pitcher Madison Clarke got the victory in her collegiate debut, allowing just two runs over five innings, while striking out three.
Saint Joseph's and host UNC Wilmington were supposed to play at 5:30 p.m. to cap the day's play, however the game was called off due to playing conditions and will not be made up.
UMBC got on the board first, tallying a run in the bottom of the first inning, but the Hawks quickly answered in the top of the second to tie it at 1-1. Sophomore catcher Stephanie Chaiser picked up her team's first RBI of the season, singling home Nikki Alden from third to knot it up.
Saint Joseph's broke the game open in the top of the third as Harkness drilled a two-out home run with the bases load, scoring Sarah Yoos, Nikki Alden and Ashley Alden to make it 5-1.
UMBC got a lead off home run to start the bottom of the fourth, but Clarke and SJU's defense helped negate a threat and keep the Hawks ahead by three, 5-2.
After a scoreless fifth, Saint Joseph's erupted for eight runs in the sixth. Pinch runner Traneya White and designated player Kerrie Kortmann scored on a bunt single by Isabella Picard that turned into a throwing error to make it 7-2.
Following the third single of the day by left fielder Melissa Ruf and a walk by shortstop Nicole Palase, Ashley Aden drew a passes loaded walk, scoring Picard from third to put SJU ahead by six. Yoos would scored Ruf on a RBI single, with Nikki Alden connecting on her first collegiate home run in the next at-bat to plate four and make it a 13-2 edge in favor of the Hawks.
The Retrievers would chase Clarke from the game to start the bottom of the sixth on back-to-back hits, but SJU junior Anna Lauterbach set down the next three batters in order to preserve the victory.
For the game, Saint Joseph's collected 13 runs on 13 hits. Harkness and Nikki Alden each went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, with Alden scoring three times and Harkness once. Ruf finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, while Kortmann finished 2-for-3. Clarke and Lauterback combined to allow just seven hits and struck out five.
The Hawks return to action Saturday versus UMBC at 10 a.m. and will cap play for the weekend at 12:30 p.m. Saturday versus Georgetown.
