St. John's University Athletics
SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH PITTSBURGH
4/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
In the first game, the Red Storm scored one run in the first inning and added two in the third, all with the help of some defensive miscues by the Panthers. In the top of the first with one out, sophomore Alesha Argeras doubled to right field and later came around to score after an error by the first baseman. In the bottom of the second, the Panthers evened the score at 1-1 on an RBI single by Kelly Hulpa.
Then in the third, freshman Jessica Dima led off the inning with a single to right. Leadoff hitter Lisa Tropea then reached on an error by the catcher allowing Dima to advance to third. Argeras then stepped in and layed down a bunt, which was fielded by the pitcher. Unsure of where to make the out, the pitcher held the ball which loaded the bases for the Red Storm. After Ann Raab struck out for the first out of the inning, Tiffany Howerton, hitting in the cleanup spot, smacked a 1-1 pitch to right field for a two-run double. The Panthers escaped a potentially disastrous inning by retiring the nest two batters.The Panthers added another run in the bottom of the fifth. Hulpa led off the inning and lined a basehit through the hole at shortstop. Robin Johnston came in to pinch run and successfully stole second on the first pitch. She then advanced to third on a grounder to third. Catcher Heather Andrews sacrificed Hulpa home with a drive to left field to make the score 3-2.
Starting pitcher Courtney Fitzgerald closed the door on the Panthers from there, retiring the next six batters in order for her sixth win of the season. She pitched all seven innings giving up two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
In the second game, Head Coach Melody Cope decided to rest pitching ace Gina Calabrese, who was slowed by a back injury. Freshman Kate Cucciniello got the nod, but only faced six batters. She retired three, striking out one, but gave up two walks and one other baserunner, Kate Mitchell, reached on an error by the centerfielder Dima.
Fitzgerald took the mound in relief and went the distance, giving up four runs on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Fitzgerald was unable to get many counts in her favor, as the strikezone was seemingly inconsistent by the home plate umpire.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Missy Smith and Clare McCann lined back-to-back singles to the left side of the infield. Then the Panthers pulled off a double steal, and had runners at second and third. Jodi McGartland pinch hit in the nine-hole and struck out, but catcher Lisa Tropea dropped the third strike and her throw down to first sailed wide of the bag. First baseman Raab was unable to apply the tag, which loaded the bases for Pittsburgh. Leadoff hitter Amy Steich then drew a four-pitch walk, forcing in the Panthers second run, and prompting a visit to the home plate umpire by Cope. Cope was then ejected by the home plate umpire for questioning his calls of the pitches. Fitzgerald responded by striking out Beth Gill for the second out of the inning. The Panthers tacked on a third run via the free pass when Brittany Bell drew a walk to make it 3-0 Pittsburgh, but not before the Red Storm finally ended the inning on a grounder to shortstop Howerton.
Hulpa extended the lead for Pittsburgh in the bottom of the fifth with her first homerun of the season, a solo shot over the left-center field fence. From there the Red Storm managed just three more baserunners, but none advanced past first base. Cucciniello took the loss for the Red Storm, dropping her record to 0-2 on the season.
The Red Storm return to action on Tuesday April 3 when they travel to Fairfield, Conn. for a make-up doubleheader from March 18 with non-conference opponent Sacred Heart. The game is slated for 3:00 p.m.
