GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Saint Joseph's softball team opened its 2018 campaign going 1-1 on the first day of play at the East Carolina Pirate Clash. The Hawks opened the day with a 10-6 victory over UMBC to give head coach Erin Brooks her first win on Hawk Hill, but fell to host East Carolina, 3-0, in the nightcap.
In the opener, SJU took advantage of a costly UMBC error to take a 4-0 edge in the third inning. Stacey Mayer recorded the first RBI of the season as she was hit by a pitch with the bases load, scoring Lauren Reilly from third. Following a bases loaded walk to Taryn Grober that saw Molly Kapala score, Mayer and Sarah Ostaszewski scored on a fielding error and wild pitch.
The Retrievers rallied for a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Hawks responded with four runs in the fifth. A double by rookie Taylor Marinelli scored Mayer and Kapala to push the lead to five, with Reilly delivering a two-run double with two outs that saw Marinelli and Grober come around to score to make it 8-1.
UMBC answered back with two runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to make it 8-6 heading into the seventh.
Marinelli and sophomore Caela Abadie upped Saint Joseph's lead to 10-6 as the pair scored on a throwing error by UMBC's third baseman off a sharp hit ball by Reilly.
The Retrievers' first two batters reached safely in the bottom of the seventh, but senior Madison Clarke worked out of trouble and got a game-ending double play to secure the win.
For the game, Grober went 3-for-3 with a run scored and RBI, while Marinelli added two RBIs and two runs scored in her collegiate debut.
In the circle, Clarke opened the year with a victory, as she allowed one unearned run over five innings, while striking out four.
In a pitchers' duel in the nightcap, the host Pirates scored three runs on four hits, while the Hawks were held scoreless on four hits.
A pair of RBI doubles in the bottom of the first gave East Carolina a 2-0 edge.
SJU starter Ashley Ventura staggered the opposing hitters over the next five innings though, allowing just one hit.
The Hawks' best scoring chance came in the fourth as Abadie was walked to load the bases with two outs. Unfortunately for Saint Joseph's, East Carolina was able to work out of the jam and keep the Hawks off the scoreboard.
The Pirates added their third run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and worked around allowing the first two SJU batters to reach in the seventh to hold on for the win.
Ventura was the hard-luck loser in the circle, going 6.0 innings of work and allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out three. Ostaszewski, Mayer, Amanda Kulp and Raelynn Genovese each recorded a hit for the Hawks.
Saint Joseph's returns to action on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. versus Towson.
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