St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
USF
Red Storm Falls In Midweek Conference Action To USF
4/3/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 3, 2013
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TAMPA, Fla. - The St. John's Softball team gave up just nine hits over the two games of its midweek doubleheader with BIG EAST rival USF, but scored just two runs as the Bulls (29-11, 6-1 BIG EAST) took two on Wednesday over the Red Storm (9-25-1, 3-4), 4-0 and 5-2.
St. John's got key contributions from MacKenna Neuroth, who hit her first home run of the year, and Erin Burner who went 2-for-6 with a run scored.
In the top of the first of game one, St. John's would threaten as Yvonne Rericha hit a one-out single, then stole her team-leading 11th base of the season. An intentional walk to Jackie Reed put two on with two outs, but the Red Storm were unable to capitalize to keep the game scoreless.
St. John's starter Tori Free and Bulls pitcher Lindsey Richardson battled for three and a half scoreless frames before the Bulls were able to take a 1-0 lead on a St. John's miscue in the bottom of the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth frame, USF added to its lead with a three-spot behind two more St. John's errors.
The Red Storm got a runner on in the fourth inning, but was unable to get anything going against USF reliever Sara Nevins for the final 4-0 score.
Free (3-12, 3.15 ERA) went 5.1 innings, allowing just two hits to take the loss for the Red Storm.
In the second game, St. John's once again threatened Richardson in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with two outs, but was unable to take an early lead.
USF led off the bottom of the inning with three-straight walks to chase STJ starter Ashley Beza. A fielder's choice would plate a run and give USF a 1-0 lead before either team recorded a hit.
The hitless game would finally be broken up on a single by Stephanie Medina in the bottom of the third, but Free got out of the jam in relief to keep the margin at one.
The Red Storm broke up the USF no-hitter attempt in a big way as Neuroth hit her first home run of the year over the left center wall to tie the game and chase Richardson in the top of the fourth.
An RBI single followed by a wild pitch and a throwing error allowed the Bulls to retake the lead, plating three for a 4-1 advantage heading to the fifth. A solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning would make it a 5-1 USF lead.
St. John's cut into the lead with an RBI groundout by Beza in the sixth, but couldn't get any closer than 5-2.
Free pitched 4.1 innings in relief to take her second loss of the day.
Up next for the Red Storm is a home weekend series against Louisville, April 6-7. The weekend will be St. John's ESPN3 debut on STJ-TV, while Saturday's doubleheader will be Pink Day, supporting the team's efforts to Strike Out Cancer.
For all the latest news on the St. John's softball team, log on to RedStormSports.com and follow the team (@STJ_Softball) on Twitter. You can join the conversation with the hashtag, #stjsb. If you would like to be added to the St. John's Softball mailing list, send an email to Alex Bryant (alexander.bryant11@stjohns.edu) with the subject line "Softball Mailing List".
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