Feb. 28, 2009

Box Score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The St. Bonaventure softball team dropped its first two games of the season today to Niagara in the Rebel Spring Games Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida.

The Brown and White were shutout by the Purple Eagles in their first game of the day, 8-0, and did not fare much better in the second contest, falling 10-1.

A combination of poor starting pitching and a lack of offense plagued the Bonnies in both games. In the first game, junior Sherri Thompson, who is the ace of this year's squad, got the start. Thompson, who was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference first team last season, gave up six earned runs in just four innings of work in the loss.

The Brown and White could muster no offense against Niagara in the first game, collecting only one hit on a single by senior Ashley Kotz.

The second game was much of the same, unfortunately, for St. Bonaventure. Freshman Diana Phalon was given the start, but only lasted 3 2/3 innings giving up four earned runs.

The Bonnies bats were once again held in check throughout the second game registering only two hits, both singles by Kotz and Kara Morenus. The Brown and White did manage to push one unearned run across the plate in the second game. In the bottom of the fourth, senior Kathryn Pazda managed to get on base after her called third strike got away from the catcher. Kotz was up next, and her single drove Pazda all the way home to put the Bonnies on the scoreboard.

St. Bonaventure returns to action looking for its first win of the spring season tomorrow as it continues play in the Rebel Games Tournament. The Brown and White have another doubleheader scheduled, with the first game against Holy Cross at 9:00 a.m. and the second game against Fairfield to follow at 11 a.m.