Box Score April 25, 2008
Box Score
East Norriton, Pa. -
A home run by Saint Joseph's Dana Bieniek turned out to be the difference maker, as the Hawks held off a late Fordham rally to take the first of a two-game Atlantic 10 series, 6-5, at East Norriton Softball Field in East Norriton, Pa.
With the loss, Fordham drops to 28-24 on the year, 7-6 in the Atlantic 10, while Saint Joseph's improves to 16-18 overall, 9-6 in the league.
Fordham got on the scoreboard quickly in the first, scoring two runs with two outs. Allison Storc started things with a two-out walk. Storc then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Jocelyn Dearborn then doubled down the left field line, scoring Storc. Samantha Pellechio then reached on an infield single, scoring Dearborn.
The Hawks tied the game right away with a two-run single by Dani Gonzalez in the bottom half of the first.
Fordham grabbed the lead right back with a single run in the second. With a runner on second and two outs, Allison Twarowski hit a chopper down the first base line, which the first baseman dropped, allowing Meghan Shager to score and give the Rams a 3-2 lead.
Saint Joseph's then grabbed a 5-3 edge with three runs in the bottom of the second, getting runs on a wild pitch, an error, and an RBI-double from Erika Rosenwinkel.
Fordham closed the gap to 5-4 in the top of the third, as Dearborn connected for a solo home run, her team-leading eighth of the season, setting a new freshman record at Fordham. She surpasses Erin Fisher's mark of seven, set last season.
Saint Joseph's regained a two-run edge in the bottom of the fourth, as Dana Bieniek hit a solo home run to left, her first of the season.
Fordham tried to put together the tying rally in the seventh, as Shager and Stephanie Mott both singled to start the frame. After a sac bunt moved the runners up, Mary Beth Puccio hit a ground ball to third, which got Shager at the plate for the second out. Storc kept the inning alive with an RBI-single to score Mott. Dearborn then flied out to center to end the game.
For Fordham, starter Beckah Wiggins (12-9) went just one inning, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks, while Nicole Ayres pitched the final five innings, allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts. At the plate, Dearborn was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and two RBI, while Storc was 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and an RBI.
The same two teams will match-up for the final game of the series on Saturday afternoon, beginning at noon.
