CONWAY, S.C. - Saint Joseph's freshman pitcher Madison Clarke earned her third victory of the weekend as the Hawks topped Mount St. Mary's 8-0 in five innings Sunday morning in the final day of the Coastal Carolina Invitational.
As a team, Saint Joseph's (6-4) posted a tournament-best 4-1 record on the weekend. Clarke was joined by Ashley Alden, Nicole Palase and Sarah Yoos on the All-Tournament Team.
Saint Joseph's jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first and that would be all it needed to get going. A bases-loaded walk by Yoos scored Isabella Picard for the first run of the day, and Ashley Alden followed with a two-run single that scored Brandi Harkness and Melissa Ruf. Yoos would come in to score the fourth run on a throwing error by Mount St. Mary's catcher.
Clarke kept the Mount off the board the next two innings, while the Hawks added to their lead as Yoos scored off a sacrifice fly by Stephanie Chaiser to make it 5-0.
After a scoreless top of the fourth, SJU added a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Becoming the 29th Hawk to reach 100 hits for her career the previous day, Ruf added to her total with a RBI single to score Isabella Picard. After loading the bases, Yoos was hit by a pitch, allowing Ruf to bring her team within a run of the mercy rule.
The Hawks' defense kept Mount St. Mary's off the board in the top of the fifth, and a RBI single by Palase that scored Cydi Wilson capped the victory 8-0 in the bottom of the fifth.
For the game, Clarke allowed five hits over 5.0 innings while striking out two for the win. At the plate, Picard and Palase were both 2-for-3 with Picard scoring twice. Yoos and Alden each finished with a game-high two RBIs.
Saint Joseph's returns to action at the under Armour Invitational this Friday, March 6.