St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (Seminole Challenge)
Red Storm Fall 2-1 to #10 Louisiana-Lafayette
3/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 7, 2004
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - Two first inning runs were enough for #10 Louisiana-Lafayette, as they held off the St. John's University softball, 2-1 on the final day of the 2004 Seminole Classic, hosted by Florida State University. Despite first inning troubles when she gave up two runs, junior Meghan Allman (San Diego, Calif.) settled down to hold the Cajuns, the 2004 Seminole Challenge champions, scoreless over the last five innings. St. John's battled ULL All-American candidate Brooke Mitchell all day, but were unable to break through until the top of the seventh when freshman Loren Anguiano (Mesa, Ariz.) hit her first home run of the season. The Red Storm, who could not add the tying run, fall to 7-10 on the season, while the Rajin' Cajuns improve to 25-2.
Louisiana-Lafayette jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Hillary Guidry was hit to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a stolen bases and a passed ball. Holly Tankersley followed with a walk to put runners on the corner. Danyele Gomez blooped a RBI single into lef t to score Guidry and the second run scored as Crystal George grounded out two batters later. The Cajuns threatened again in the bottom of the second, as they placed runners at first and second with only one out. However, Allman escaped troubles as she got the next two batters to ground out.
Both teams left runners in scoring position in the fifth inning, as both pitchers escaped trouble. In the top of the inning, St. John's put some pressure on the Rajin' Cajuns as they placed runners at first and second with one out, but could not advance the runners any further as Brooke Mitchell struck out the last two Red Storm batters. In the bottom of the inning, ULL got their first two runners on and later loaded the bases with two outs, but Allman forced the Cajuns into three ground ball outs to end the scoring opportunity.
The Red Storm would not quit as they scored one run and left one runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh, as the Rajin' Cajuns prevailed 2-1. Anguiano took the first pitch of the seventh inning over the left field fence for her first career home run cutting the Louisiana-Lafayette lead to 2-1. The home run was only the third home run and seventh earned run that Brooke Mitchell has given up in 130 innings pitched so far this season. With one out, sophomore Jessica Marical (Stanton, Calif.) worked out a walk after a long at bat and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Brittany Crouch (Irvine, Calif.). However, pinch hitter Katie Watson (Avendale, Ariz.) struck out swinging to end the game.
Allman went the distance for the Red Storm in a losing effort, shutting down the Cajuns after allowing two first inning runs. She allowed the two runs on four hits and five walks, while striking out four. Brooke Mitchell, who improved to 19-1 on the season, allowed one run on five hits and two walks over the seven innings. Mitchell, whose five hits allowed was the most since she allowed seven and six in her first two game of the season, struck out 13 Red Storm batter on the day.
Aside from her first career home run, Anguiano went 2-for-3 on the day for the Red Storm.
Sophomore Jo Sherlock (San Diego, Calif.) and freshman Christina Tucker (San Diego, Calif.) earned 2004 Seminole Challenge all-tournament honors for their efforts this weekend.
The Red Storm return to the field for the Ringor Invitational, hosted by Winthrop University, next weekend. St. John's will travel down to Rock Hill, S.C to take on Ohio University at 10 a.m. and Jacksonville State at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 12, with the tournament continuing on Saturday and Sunday.
