May 2, 2009

Box Score

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - The St. Bonaventure softball team was unable to take advantage of a solid pitching performance from freshman Erin Nargi as it fell to Saint Joseph's 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at McGraw Jennings Field.

With the defeat, the Brown and White fall to 10-26 overall and 7-11 in A-10 play. Saint Joseph's, who have already clinched a spot in next week's Atlantic 10 Tournament, improves its record up to 23-18 overall and 9-7 in league play.

Nargi pitched a complete game for the Brown and White allowing all three runs on six hits. Her effort was for not, however as the St. Bonaventure bats failed to push a run across the plate for the second straight game.

Hawks starter Lauren Pembleton held the Bonnies down, hurling a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits while striking out two.

Saint Joseph's, just as they did in game one of the series, got off to a fast start by scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Laura Cardone started the frame with a walk and a theft of second base to get into scoring position with no outs. After a sacrifice bunt advanced Cardone over to third, freshman Monica Aguilar hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Cardone and make the score 1-0 Hawks.

The visitors struck again in both the fourth and seventh innings off Nargi using the long ball to provide some insurance. Senior Erika Rosenwinkel smashed a solo home run in the fourth to make the score 2-0. Senior Dani Gonzales stepped up in the seventh and clubbed her second home run in as many days to put Saint Joseph's up 3-0.

The Brown and White's best scoring chance came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Freshman Ashley Nowak singled up the middle and junior Stephanie Narde reached on an error to give the home team runners on first and second with only one out. The Bonnies could not take advantage, however, as senior Blair Freeman struck out swinging and sophomore Shelly Seeger grounded out to first base to end the inning.

Nowak had a solid day at the dish for the Brown and White, going two-for-three with a double in the loss.

St. Bonaventure will be back in action on Sunday, May 3, at 12:00 pm when it welcomes Temple to McGraw Jennings Field for a pivotal doubleheader. The Bonnies trail Temple by two games for the sixth and final spot in next week's A-10 Tournament. They need to sweep both games of tomorrow's double dip to move past Temple in order to qualify for their fifth straight A-10 Tournament.