Box Score March 27, 2009
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Bronx, N.Y. - A five-run first inning and a strong pitching performance from freshman Jen Mineau was all the Fordham softball team needed on Friday, as they opened a two-game Atlantic 10 series against La Salle with an 8-0 victory in five innings.
With the win, Fordham is now 19-12, 1-2 in the Atlantic 10, while La Salle falls to 3-12 overall, 2-3 in the league.
The Rams got all the offense they needed in the bottom of the first, scoring five times on four hits. Melissa Andrews opened the game with her team-leading fourth triple of the year, and then scored on a passed ball. Lindsey Kay Bright then lined a single off the pitcher, stole second, and advanced to third on an error. After a walk and stolen base by Samantha Pellechio, Mary Beth Puccio connected for a two-run single, scoring both runners and advancing to second on a throw home. Puccio then moved to third on an infield single by Beckah Wiggins, and scored on a Wiggins stolen base and error. Wiggins was then plated on a sacrifice fly by Jessica Weckenman.
Fordham made it a 6-0 game in the fourth, as Andrews led off with a bunt single, and was sacrificed to second by Bright. Andrews then stole third, but the throw got away from the fielder, allowing Andrews to score.
The Rams then capped the scoring with a pair of runs in the fifth. Puccio dropped in a single to right, which the right fielder overran, allowing the ball to go to the wall. Puccio would come all the way around to score on the three base error by the rightfielder. Jocelyn Dearborn then singled to center. Dearborn then stole second, where the throw would get by the incoming centerfielder, allowing Dearborn to score and invoke the eight-run rule.
Jen Mineau (9-7) pitched extremely well over her five innings, allowing just three baserunners on two singles and an error. Only one of the baserunners would get as far as second base, as Mineau registered nine strikeouts on the afternoon for her team-leading ninth win of the year.
At the plate, Mary Beth Puccio was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Melissa Andrews and Lindsey Kay Bright each had a pair of hits.
The Fordham softball team will wrap up their series with La Salle University on Saturday, March 28th, at Bahoshy Field, beginning at noon.
