St. John's University Athletics
Lerch, Hill Lead Softball To Split With Sacred Heart
4/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The St. John???s softball team (12-29, 3-9) split a pair of games against the visiting Sacred Heart Pioneers. The Red Storm dropped a 2-1, game one decision before picking up its 12th victory of the season in game two, 2-1. Senior pitcher Kim Lerch earned her sixth win of the season, striking out seven along the way, while Tami Hill drove in both Red Storm runs.
Game One:
Sacred Heart jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning off a two-run home run from Adrian Fitzsimon. It was the center fielder???s first long ball of the season and only the seventh for the Pioneers.
The Red Storm answered back in the bottom of the side as its first three batters, Danielle Estrada, Spring Montgomery and Shauntaine Harris all reached base safely. With the bases loaded, Bionka King drove in Estrada, posting St. John???s first run of the day.
The pitchers duel continued as neither hurler allowed another run for the duration of the game. St. John???s starter in the circle, Lisa Geer, fanned nine and allowed only two earned runs. She was tagged with the 2-1 loss as she fell to 5-15 on the season.
Game Two:
King, who drove in St. John???s only run of game one, recorded the Red Storm???s first hit of the second game and came across the plate on a single from Tami Hill in the third inning.
Red Storm pitcher Kim Lerch kept Sacred Heart off the board until the fourth inning when Jacqui Riley???s RBI triple tied the game at 1-1.
The combination of King and Hill broke up the tie in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hill???s sacrifice to right field allowed King to score, giving St. John???s a 2-1 lead. The Red Storm loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth, but was not able to capitalize.
Lerch tossed a complete game for the Red Storm, striking out seven en route to her sixth victory of the season. She allowed only one earned run on four hits, helping her team come up with its 12th win.
The Red Storm will head to Fairleigh Dickinson tomorrow, Thursday, April 19, for a 3 p.m. non-conference doubleheader. For the latest information on the softball team and all of St. John???s athletics, please visit www.RedStormSports.com.
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