Box Score April 16, 2009
Box Score
South Orange, N.J. -
A late inning rally by Seton Hall in game two spoiled the Fordham softball team's try for a sweep, as the Pirates rallied for a 5-4 victory at Ivy Hill Park on Thursday. In game one, Fordham came alive for ten runs, taking that contest by a 10-2 count.
With the split, Fordham is now 29-17 overall, while Seton Hall moves to 20-22-1.
In game one, Erin Fisher and Nicole Callahan each drove in a pair of runs, while the Rams banged out 11 hits, as Fordham opened the doubleheader with 10-2 win over the Pirates in five innings.
Fordham got on the board immediately in the first as Melissa Andrews opened the game with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on an error. It was her 21st of the season, tying her own single season record set in 2007 and 2008. Andrews then scored on a sacrifice fly by Mary Beth Puccio.
Seton Hall got two runs in the bottom half of the first to take the lead on an RBI-single by Brittany Schillizzi and an RBI-triple by Kristen Kaelin.
Fordham struck right back with three runs in the second for a 4-2 lead. With the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Erin Fisher cracked a two-run single to center, scoring Beckah Wiggins and Jocelyn Dearborn. Lindsey Kay Bright, who advanced to third on Fisher's single, later scored on a wild pitch.
The Rams then scored four times in the top of the third to take an 8-2 lead, capitalizing on a pair of Seton Hall errors, and highlighted by RBI-singles from Dearborn and Jo Krasnisky.
Fordham capped the scoring in the fifth with two more runs. With one out, Krasnisky beat out an infield single, followed by another infield single by Bright. The throw though to get Bright at first, sailed wide, advancing the runners to second and third. Pinch-hitter Nicole Callahan then knocked out a two-run single to score both runners for her first career hit.
Jen Mineau (13-9) threw all five innings for the Rams, allowing two earned runs on three hits, while striking out seven for the win. At the plate, Krasnisky, Pellechio, and Bright each had a pair of hits, while Bright, Dearborn, and Wiggins each scored two runs.
In game two, Seton Hall's Nalin Bennett capped a four-run seventh with the game-winning RBI-single to give the Pirates a 5-4 come from behind win over the Rams.
Fordham again opened the scoring with two runs in the first inning. Bright started the frame with a walk and stole second for her 21st of the season, tying Andrews for the single season stolen base record. Meghan Shager followed with a single up the middle to score Bright. Shager then stole second and scored on an RBI-single by Puccio.
After Seton Hall cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third, Fordham regained a two-run lead in the top of the sixth, as Jessica Weckenman hit a solo home run to left, her second of the season.
In the seventh, Fordham extended the lead to 4-1, as Bright reached second on an error and moved to third on a wild pitch. Shager then ripped a hit into the outfield scoring Bright with Shager making it to third. However, Seton Hall appealed second base and Shager was called out for missing the base, stopping the Rams' rally.
Seton Hall though put together a bottom of the seventh rally with one out. After a walk and two singles loaded the bases, Megan Pease reached on an error, allowing one run to score. Leah Menichetti then connected for a two-run double, tying the game at four. Nailin Bennett then singled through the left side, scoring Pease to win the game.
Chelsea Plimpton (9-2) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. At the plate, Shager was 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Weckenman was 2-for-3 with a double and a home run.
The Fordham softball team will next be in action on Sunday, April 19th, as they host the University of Dayton for an Atlantic 10 doubleheader, beginning at noon. The games will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fordham softball with a special first pitch ceremony before game one and Senior Day ceremonies to occur between the two games.
