St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Manhattan
St. John's Downs Manhattan
4/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 23, 2008
QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's softball team (18-32) faced off against the Manhattan College Jaspers (8-26) in a single game contest at Red Storm Field. The Red Storm fell in an early hole and trailed until the sixth inning when the team put up four runs on the way to a 4-3 victory over its local rival.
"We took care of business when it came down to it," said head coach Amy Kvilhaug. "We are a comeback team and we came together towards the end of the game. Lisa [Geer] came through in a big spot and Kat [Lawrence] pitched well for us. We just did what we had to do to pull out a win."
The Jaspers got on top early in the top of the second. A single followed by a runner that reached on an error, set up an RBI single for Manhattan. Senior tri-captain Lisa Geer was able to pitch her way out of further damage, striking out the final batter of the inning.
Pitching dominated for the next four innings as the Red Storm could manage just one hit, an infield single by Bionka King, untill the fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth, the Jaspers struck again, this time with a two-run home run to left-center, pushing the score to 3-0.
With its back against the wall in the bottom of the sixth, St. John's came out swinging. Graduate student Alyson Funn led off the inning with a single up the middle and freshman Kacee Cox followed with a single of her own. With runners at first and second and one out, sophomore Brandy Reyes delivered with a single up the middle to plate Funn and put the Red Storm on the board. Reyes was then one-upped by Geer as she walloped the second pitch she saw over the scoreboard in left field to score three and give St. John's the 4-3 advantage.
Freshman Kat Lawrence, who entered in relief in the fourth inning, struck out three batters in the final frame to end the game and earn her eighth victory of the year.
For the game, Geer went 1-for-2 with one run, three RBI, a walk and three innings pitched with five strikeouts. Reyes finished 1-for-3 with one run and an RBI.
The Red Storm takes on BIG EAST rival Rutgers this Saturday at Noon. The doubleheader will take place at Red Storm Field. St. John's will also face the BIG EAST opponent Villanova this Sunday at Noon. Before the game, alumnae from the past twenty years will be honored and a special senior ceremony will take place between games.
