St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Georgetown
St. John's Topped By Georgetown In Extra Frames
5/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 2, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The St. John's softball team (24-25, 11-13) wrapped up its regular season schedule vs. the Georgetown Hoyas on Saturday and were topped, 5-4 and 1-0, with both games ending in nine innings.
The Red Storm struck right away in game one as sophomore catcher Kacee Cox blasted the first pitch she saw over the centerfield fence for her team-leading ninth homer of the season. The shot plated Chelsea Durning who walked to lead off the game and gave STJ a two run advantage.
St. John's added to its lead in the same inning as freshman Jenna Berger hit a line-drive up the middle for an RBI single which scored Kristi Cady and increased the Red Storm's run total to three.
Georgetown scored its first run with two outs in the bottom of the second on a slow roller to first base which leftfielder Heidi Garcia just beat out as the umpire ruled that the tag came just after she touched first and allowed a run to cross the plate. With the inning still alive the Hoyas took advantage and added an RBI single from Demetria Cipriano to cut the deficit to one.
Back-to-back doubles from Georgetown evened up the score at three in the bottom of the third inning. The Hoyas' third double of the inning also plated a run and gave GU a 4-3 lead.
The Red Storm entered the top of the seventh needing one run to extend the game. Berger led off the inning with a walk and a sacrifice bunt from senior Melissa Pilley advanced her to second base. With a runner in scoring position and one out, freshman Julia Sanchez delivered with a double to the gap in left-center which plated Berger and tied the game at four.
Georgetown got a runner on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning when Roxy Struble and Cady converged on a ball looped into shallow center and the two fielders collided, jarring the ball free of Cady's glove. A deep fly to center by the next batter allowed the runner at second to advance after the umpire said she beat the tag on a close call at third base. Cipriano was up next for GU and added a sacrifice fly to plate the runner and gave Georgetown the 5-4 victory.
Sophomore Kat Lawrence continued her run of great play as of late as she entered the game in relief during the third inning. Lawrence went 6.1 innings and struck out eight while only allowing three hits.
Game two's first scoring threat came in the bottom of the second inning for Georgetown. After a walk, a double to center by Suria Bahadue gave the runner a chance to advance home, but an excellent relay throw from Rachel Paragas allowed Cox to apply the tag and keep the Hoya's off the board.
Georgetown threatened again in the bottom of the third after a single and two sacrifices gave the Hoyas a runner just 60 feet away. However, Lawrence remained unfazed and struck out the next batter to get the Red Storm out of the inning unscathed.
The same pattern followed in bottom of the fourth as GU loaded the bags with two outs. On a full count, Lawrence induced a groundout to the shortstop and once again kept the Hoyas from crossing home plate.
GU's Mackensey Carter took a no-hitter into the sixth inning but Sanchez was able to break up the bid with a single to the left-center gap. Carter recovered however, as she induced a fly-out to keep STJ scoreless.
The pitching duel continued through the seventh inning as St. John's and Georgetown entered extra frames for the second time in as many games.
With runners on the corners and two out in the bottom of the eighth, head coach Amy Kvilhaug decided to intentionally walk Carter and load the bags for Bahadue. Lawrence was then able to induce a groundout to third to bring a second-straight game into the ninth inning.
The Hoyas staked their claim of the ninth inning with an RBI single from Cipriano and took game two, 1-0.
Lawrence continues to be on the top of her game ending game two with 8.1 innings pitched and seven strikeouts. Over the past four games, the sophomore pitcher has spanned 25.2 innings while striking out 34 and allowing just one earned run.
If you would like to receive the most up-to-date information on the 2008-09 St. John's softball team, please send your e-mail address to michael.gambardella03@stjohns.edu.
