Box Score Feb. 18, 2012
ECU Stats | Virginia Stats
Greenville, N.C. -
Day two of the Pirate Clash saw Fordham split a pair of games against East Carolina and Virginia. Game one saw the Rams beat the Pirates 5-1 while they fell to the Cavaliers, 6-4, in the second meeting between the two schools at the tournament.
In game one, Jen Mineau took to the circle looking for her second win of the season in as many starts. The hosts struck early in the game pushing a run across in the bottom of the first. Kristi Oshiro led off with a walk and advanced to second on an illegal pitch. She took third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI base hit from Rebecca Lee to give ECU a 1-0 lead.
The score stayed that way until the fifth as Mineau and her counterpart, Sarah Christian, dominated the action from the circle.
Fordham tied the score in the fifth when, with one out, Jessica Crowley singled to center. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Lindsey Kay Bright, and then Jamie LaBovick's ripped a grounder to short that was misplayed for an error. On the play, LaBovick got into a rundown allowing Crowley to score.
The Rams broke the game open in the sixth. Nicole Callahan led off the frame with a double to right and Sammi Smith came in to run for her and scored when Elise Fortier connected on a double of her own that gave Fordham a 2-1 lead. Brianna Ciuffi came in to run for Fortier and she took third on a wild pitch. After Gabby Luety walked, the Rams had runners on the corners and Erica Wills, who came in to run for Luety, stole second. On the throw to second, Ciuffi stole home to put the Rams up 3-1.
The next batter, Michelle Daubman, collected her first career RBI with a single to center that scored Wills. Daubman took second on the throw home and later scored when Brianna Turgeon reached on another error by the ECU shortstop for a 5-1 Fordham advantage.
Mineau made the 5-1 lead hold up, retiring the final six Pirates in order to improve to 2-0 on the season. She tossed a complete game, striking out six, and surrendered just two hits. At the plate, Callahan and Daubman each had two hits for the Rams.
Game Two
Mineau got the start against Virginia in the nightcap and she didn't fare as well as she did on Friday.
The Cavaliers got to her early as in the top of the first, Taylor Williams singled to left center with one out. Two batters later, Taylor scored when Marcie Bowdren doubled into the right field corner. On the play, Bowdren tried for a triple and was gunned down on a relay from Nicole Callahan to Brianna Turgeon to Elise Fortier.
Alex Skinkis led off the Virginia second with a single to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Alexa Martinez gave Virginia a 2-0 lead with a double to right that plated Skinkis. The Rams went in order in the second and Virginia took a 2-0 lead into the third inning.
Giannina Cipolloni led off the top of the third with a single through the left side and Williams followed with a bunt that Fortier threw away, allowing Cipolloni to score and Williams to advance to third. Two batters later, Bowdren collected her second and third RBI of the game with a home run to left center that gave the Cavs a 5-0 lead.
Fordham tried to rally in the bottom of the third as Bright singled to center and moved to third when LaBovick ripped a single of her own. With runners on the corners and one out, Callahan grounded out to second which advanced LaBovick but Bright couldn't score from third. Fortier lined out to end the Fordham threat.
The fourth inning began with Taylor Pirone relieving Mineau in the circle. Virginia was unable to do anything against Pirone as the Cavaliers managed a harmless single that was eliminated on a fielder's choice.
In the bottom of the frame, Fordham rallied once again. With one out in the inning, Paige Ortiz doubled to left center and Daubman followed with an infield single, A walk to Chelsea Palumbo loaded the bases and Turgeon blasted a grand slam home to pull the Rams to within one, 5-4.
Virginia tried to answer in the fifth. Giannina Cipolloni led off with a double to left center and Williams followed with a walk. Cipolloni moved to third on a fly out and Williams stole second. Pirone stranded the two runners in scoring position as she got Bowdren to pop up and Skinkis to ground out.
Virginia nearly got another run in the sixth. Stephanie Harris singled, stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. Kristen Hawkins then ripped a smash to third and Fortier came home with the throw to get Harris. Velk followed with a single up the middle, moving Harris to third but both runners were stranded.
The Cavaliers got an important insurance run in the seventh. After Erica Cipolloni walked, Bowdren ripped her third hit of the game, a double, and Virginia had runners on second and third. Skinkis drove in Cipolloni with a single to right center to put Virginia up, 6-4.
Fordham couldn't push a run across the plate in the final two innings as the Rams fell, 6-4.
Mineau took her first loss of the season while Pirone gave up just one run in a four-inning relief appearance. Bright led Fordham in game two with a pair of hits and Turgeon's added the grand slam, her first home run of the season.
Sunday's game with Louisville at the ECU Pirate Clash was cancelled due to impending, inclement weather. Fordham will return to action on Thursday, February 23 at 4:00 PM as they compete in the Cathedral City Classic against UC Davis.
