WASHINGTON, D.C. - Saint Joseph's senior Kerrie Kortmann picked the right time for her first career home run as the Hawks' second baseman's solo blast was the decisive blow in a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Fordham on Friday at the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship.
With the win, the fifth seeded Hawks (24-24-1) advance in the winner's bracket to face third seeded Massachusetts in the semifinals at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
In a pitchers' duel between Saint Joseph's sophomore Madison Clarke and Fordham's Rachel Gillen the game remained scoreless through five innings, leading to Kortmann starting off the top of the sixth.
Battling out of a one ball, two strike count, Kortmann worked the count full before delivering a blast down the left field line that stayed just fair past the foul pole to put the Hawks ahead, 1-0.
Ahead by a run, Saint Joseph's turned the ball over to rookie Ashley Ventura. Despite giving up a one-out single, Ventura got a fly out for the second out, while Fordham's runner was called for interference in the next at-bat to end the threat.
Fordham, who retired SJU in order in the top of the seventh, got a leadoff batter Lauren Quense on a she singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Hawks.
With the tying run at second, Ventura struck out the next Rams' batter and got the following batter to line out for the second out.
Ventura would come up big again for the Hawks with the game on the line, striking out Jessica Hughes looking for the game's final out.
Clarke, who was stellar in allowing four hits over 5.0 innings, improved to 8-8 on the year with the win, striking out four in the process. Ventura picked up her first collegiate save, going 2.0 scoreless innings and striking out two.
At the plate, Kortmann was 1-for-2 with the home run, while senior Brandi Harkness and rookie Amanda Kulp picked up the other two SJU hits.
Game Notes: With a steal of second base in the top of the first, Kulp moved into a tie for second among single-season leaders alongside Dana Parks with 20.
