April 30, 2008

Final Stats

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Canisius tallied all three of its runs in the third inning and survived a late comeback attempt from the St. Bonaventure softball team en route to a 3-2 victory over the Bonnies Wednesday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex.

Following a doubleheader split earlier this season at McGraw-Jennings Field, the Golden Griffins earned the overall season series with today's win. With their second straight loss, the Brown and White fall to 18-21 on the year with only a pair of Atlantic 10 two-game sets remaining to close the 2008 regular season. The red-hot Griffs notched their 26th victory in the last 31 contests to improve to 31-12 heading into the stretch run.

Despite a scoreless first two innings of play, the tide looked to be pointed into the Canisius direction as the Golden Griffins threatened in their first at-bat. Sophomore pitcher Sherri Thompson loaded the bases in the first frame, but was able to get out of the jam with an inning-ending strikeout to preserve the scoreless draw.

In the decisive third frame, the Griffs led off the bottom half of the inning with three straight singles as the final base knock sent a pair of runs to the plate. Katie Miranto's single up the middle shattered the tie and put the home club up for good at 2-0. Canisius also added an important run later in the inning thanks to one-run single from Cameron Norton.

The Bona bats failed to post a hit through four frames, but finally notched two in the top of the fifth. Senior Patricia McKeon led of the top of the inning with a single through the left side and was replaced on the base paths by freshman Amber Webb-Fife. The first-year outfielder quickly advanced to third following a double from junior Ashley Kotz and was brought to the dish by a Kathryn Pazda sacrifice fly to put the Bonnies on the board.

Senior Brianna Bricker accounted for the club's final run of the afternoon as the school's all-time home run leader sent her 23rd career yard ball out of the park in the sixth to pull the Brown and White within one at 3-2.

The Bonnies made it interesting in the top of the seventh due to a two-out double into left center from junior Amanda Kotz, but Pazda grounded out to end the game.

After defeating the Griffs earlier this season, Thompson (14-9) picked up the loss despite posting her fourth double-digit strikeout tally of the year with 10 K's this afternoon. The second-year ace also moved into sole possession of second place on the all-time Bona strikeout list with 264.

Juliete Bowers improved to 16-1 on the mound for Canisius as she allowed just two hits and one run through five innings. Mallory Aldred tossed two innings in relief for her 14th save of the season.

The Bonnies return to action this weekend with their final four games of the regular season. Rhode Island visits on Friday, May 2 for game one of the series at 3:00 p.m. followed by a noon start time on Saturday for the second contest. St. Bonaventure welcomes perennial A-10 power Massachusetts on Sunday at noon to close the 2008 schedule.