St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Providence
Red Storm Splits Conference-Opening Doubleheader With Providence
3/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 28, 2012
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- With a downpour pushing back first pitch and darkness threatening the finish, St. John's was able to squeeze in its BIG EAST-opening doubleheader with Providence, dropping the first game, 4-3 and rebounding to take game two, 4-1 in six innings.
In the second game, St. John's got out to an early lead with two runs in the first inning. Junior Chrissy Montez took advantage of defensive miscues to plate the first. Then, senior Kristi Cadyscored on an RBI single by sophomore Jackie Reed. It looked as though the throw would beat Cady to the plate, but the veteran slid around the tag to give the Red Storm a 2-0 lead.
That lead would double in the second as senior Julia Sanchez hit a one-out double, and was sacrificed over by freshman Ellen Czuba. Montez then drew her second walk of the game, and caught the Providence defense napping, coyly rounding first and sprinting to second. By the time the Friars realized what happened and tried to get Montez at second, the junior was safe and Sanchez had run home to score.
Cady would hit a two-out RBI double to score Montez and make the St. John's lead 4-0. Providence would try to shrink the gap with a solo home run in the bottom of the second, but wouldn't to be able to produce anything else against freshman Fran Carrullo (4-5, 4.65 ERA), who gave up just four hits in the 4-1 victory. It was the fourth win in the last five decisions for Carrullo.
Due to darkness, the second game was called after six innings, giving the Red Storm (12-19, 1-1 BIG EAST) the 4-1 win.
In game one St. John's struck in the top of the first inning as Montez led off the game with a double. After Montez was advanced to third, senior Kacee Cox hit a double to right center to make it a 1-0 Red Storm lead.
The Friars responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning and threatened to take the lead, but an unassisted double play by Reed stopped the threat.
Providence would take the lead on a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth and add to its advantage with an RBI single in the fifth for a 4-1 lead.
St. John's would try to rally as Cox drilled a two-out two-RBI single in the top of the seventh, scoring Montez and Czuba, but the rally would end there for the final score.
Sophomore Ashley Beza (6-11, 2.64 ERA) pitched a complete game for the Red Storm and took the loss despite giving up just four hits.
The Johnnies will stay in-conference and host in-state rival Syracuse for a three-game series beginning on Saturday, March 31.
For all of the latest news on St. John's softball as it continues the spring campaign, log on to RedStormSports.com and follow the team (@STJ_Softball) on Twitter. You can join the conversation with the hashtag, #stjsb.
