St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Providence
Krystal Puga Breaks Single Season Home Run Record in 5-3 Win Over Providence
4/29/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior Krystal Puga broke the St. John's single-season home run record on Sunday afternoon, belting her 17th and 18th homers of the year in a 5-3 victory over Providence.
Facing an 0-2 count in the top of the fifth, Puga cranked her 17th long ball of the year to right, breaking a tie with former Red Storm standout and current volunteer assistant coach Chrissy Montez.
Two innings later, the Los Angeles native added another dinger for good measure, lifting a solo shot to center and extending the newly minted record to 18.
Puga went 3-for-4 at the plate, to lead St. John's with a team-best three RBIs against the Friars. The senior first baseman was just one of six Johnnies to record a hit, as the team racked up a total 11 on the day.
Gretchen Bowie and Kaitlin Mattera also left the yard against the Friars, as all five of the Red Storm's runs came via the long ball.
McKenzie Murray recorded another successful performance in the circle for the St. John's. The senior pitcher grabbed her ninth win of the season after allowing just three runs on two hits over seven innings of work. In addition the Longmont, Colo., native struck out four Providence batters.
Prior to the historic two-run dinger, hometown hero Mattera got the momentum started in the top of the fourth. Following three scoreless innings for both programs, the Coventry, R.I., native registered a home run for her fourth on the season. The sophomore went 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in one RBI and recording a run for St. John's.
In the top of the fifth, Laura Delgado got on with a base hit down the left field line. Two batters later Puga made history with a two-run homer, for her 17th on the 2018 campaign, breaking the single-season record and give St. John's a 3-0 lead.
Following a scoreless sixth frame for both teams, Puga added to her season home run record with a solo shot to extend St. John's lead to 4-0.
Bowie added to the slugfest in the top of the seventh, when the sophomore blasted one over the left field wall for her 10th on the season and third in BIG EAST play.
The Friars tacked on three runs in the bottom of the seventh before the Johnnies retired them for the victory.
The Red Storm will continue play with a midweek matchup on Wednesday against Fordham. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
