St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Binghamton
Red Storm Takes Third At C of C Classic
3/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 16, 2008
Box Score: St. John's 5 - Binghamton 4
Box Score: Col. of Charleston 3 - St. John's 2
Mt. Pleasant, S.C. - The Red Storm softball team (8-15) took third overall at the College of Charleston Classic in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. St. John's went 3-2 at the tournament.
Before taking on host College of Charleston, the Red Storm had to finish its game vs. Binghamton which was suspended due to lightning in the sixth inning with the Bearcats leading 4-3. St. John's prevailed in the contest 5-4. The Red Storm then lost a close one to the Cougars 3-2.
"I feel good about the way we played this weekend," said head coach Amy Kvilhaug. "The top of our lineup has been great and once our whole offense starts clicking will be in good shape, especially heading into BIG EAST play."
St. John's started the first game on the final day of the C of C Classic, making up the final inning and a half of its game vs. Binghamton. The match-up resumed with one out, a runner on third base and freshman outfielder Chelsea Durning up to bat with a 1-1 count in the bottom of the sixth. Durning reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on the throw, but Binghamton got the runner at third, keeping the score 4-3.
After a Bionka King walk, freshman Kacee Cox came up with two outs and delivered the biggest hit of the year to date. Cox doubled through the left side and the speed of King and Durning did the rest, as both were able to score, giving the Red Storm a 5-4 lead.
Freshman pitcher Linzee Sumrall was able to finish off the Bearcats in the top of the seventh inning retiring the side and earning her third victory of the season.
In the final game of the Classic vs. Charleston, St. John's managed to load the bases with two outs in the top of the second but were unable to cross any runs vs. Charleston. The Cougars threatened in the bottom half of the inning with a runner on first and two outs, but centerfielder Shauntaine Harris made a diving grab, charging in from deep center to end the inning.
The Cougars threatened again in the bottom of the third when they sacrificed to get runners at second and third with one out. Senior co-captain Lisa Geer was able to settle down and pitch her way out of trouble. Geer struck out the next batter for out number two and got the next out on a fly ball to center.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Cougars got runners on second and third with one out, but could not score as Geer pitched her way out of the inning, inducing a line-out and a fly-out.
St. John's got things going in the top of the fifth when junior Roxy Struble came up with 2 outs and King on first. Struble got a hold of a fastball and drilled it past the centerfielder for a double. King put on the jets and was able to beat the throw home, putting the Red Storm on top 1-0. Senior shortstop Danielle Estrada kept the momentum going with a double of her own scoring Struble from second and giving St. John's a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Charleston loaded the bases with no outs after a walk, a beat out fielder's choice and an error. Geer buckled down and got the next two batters on pop-outs to center and second. A single to left allowed one run to score and a double by the next batter scored two and to give the Cougars a 3-2 lead.
St. John's will now head back to Queens to face off against Fairfield at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19 at Red Storm Field. For the most up to date statistics, recaps, scores and schedules please visit www.RedStormSports.com.
