Box Score May 8, 2008
Box Score
Charlotte, N.C. -
In what seems to be the theme of the tournament, Fordham and UMass found themselves in another pitcher's duel between Fordham's Nicole Ayres and UMass' Brandice Balschmiter. While the Rams were able to connect for four hits off Balschmiter, they couldn't push any runs across the plate. However, UMass' Lindsay Maroney hit an RBI-single in the fourth, while Jessica Serio had an RBI-double in the sixth, to lead the Minutewomen to a 2-0 win over the Rams on day two of the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship at Charlotte's Phillips Complex.
Fordham will now play Saint Joseph's in an elimination game at approximately 3:00 PM later today.
Fordham looked to get on UMass early as Allison Twarowski singled with one out in the top of the first but was forced out on a Mary Beth Puccio fielder's choice. Puccio moved to second on a wild pitch, but Allison Storc struck out to end the inning.
UMass picked up its first chance to score in the second, putting runners at second and third with two outs. Ayres thwarted that threat by getting Carly Normandin to fly out to a sliding Meghan Shager in left field to keep the game scoreless.
Fordham got another runner in scoring position in the third, as Stephanie Mott singled with one out and advanced to second on a ground ball. Twarowski followed with a hard shot to second, but Carly Morin fielded it cleanly and got Twarowski at first.
The Rams' defense then flashed some leather with a double play in the third. After Whitney Williams led off with a single, Lauren Proctor hit a fly to center, which Melissa Andrews caught and doubled up Williams at first for the twin killing.
Fordham then had another scoring chance in the fourth, as Storc drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a ground out. Meghan Shager then looped a single down the left field line with Storc trying to score. Storc slid home and tried sneaking her hand into home, but the umpire called her out on a high tag by Jessica Serio.
The Minutewomen then cracked the scoreboard in the bottom half of the frame, as with a runner on second and two outs, Lindsay Maroney singled just over the head of Twarowski at third, allowing pinch-runner Jill Andrews to score.
Fordham threatened to score again in the sixth, as Puccio drew a two-out walk. After Puccio advanced on a wild pitch, Storc worked Balschmiter for another walk, bringing Dearborn to the plate. Similar to the third inning, Dearborn hit a hard shot to second, but Morin made the play to end the inning.
UMass made it 2-0 in the bottom of the inning, as Samantha Salato singled up the middle, was sacrificed to second, and scored on a double by Serio.
Fordham had one final chance in the seventh, as Shager led off with a single to center, but Samantha Pellechio ripped a line drive to right, that Morin snagged out of the air and threw to first to get Shager for the double play. Balschmiter then got Erin Fisher to strike out to end the game.
Ayres (10-9) pitched a solid game, giving up two runs on six hits with six strikeouts. At the plate, Shager was 2-for-3, while Mott and Twarowski each had a hit.
