St. John's University Athletics
Red Storm Readies for Villanova
4/5/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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Game Notes QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's softball team continues BIG EAST play this weekend as the Johnnies make a trip to Villanova for a three game series with the Wildcats. The doubleheader originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon has been moved to Friday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. due to the impending weather.
St. John's will close out the three-game set on Sunday at noon, the contest will be live streamed on the BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN) with Nick Mantegna on the call.
The two programs enter their 75th all-time contest on Friday with Villanova holding a 39-35 advantage. The Wildcats won the most recent three-game set between the longtime rivals last season, claiming two of the three games. In the Johnnies lone triumph, the squad posted a combined 13 hits, including five in the extra-base variety to take a 10-0 victory in six innings over the Wildcats.
Following a midweek reschedule with Wagner due to unplayable field conditions, the Johnnies return to the diamond for the first time since taking two of three against Georgetown on the road last weekend in its opening conference series.
The Red Storm offense has turned in an impressive showing at the plate so far this season, scoring 137 runs while boasting a .270 batting average, for the third best in the BIG EAST and .431 slugging mark. The Johnnies have smashed 28 home runs so far this season to lead the conference.
Six of those dingers are a result of sophomore Marissa Rizzi, who is ranked third overall in the BIG EAST for home runs. The sophomore has been a dominate force as of late for the Johnnies, earning a spot on the BIG EAST Honor Roll following last week's games.
On the season, Rizzi is posting a .306 batting average with 26 hits and 21 runs batted in. The sophomore came up big for St. John's in the team's most recent contest, belting a two-run home run in the Johnnies' final game against Georgetown to lead the Red Storm to victory.
Krystal Puga has been a key force for St. John's this season, as the senior ranks first in the BIG EAST and inside the top-5 nationally with 13 home runs. In addition the Los Angeles native leads the conference in runs scored with 29 and RBIs with 33. Puga is second overall in the league for batting average, boasting a .417.
McKenzie Murray continues to be a threat in the circle for St. John's, the senior registered her first save of the season last Friday to help St. John's to a 3-2 victory over the Hoyas. The senior enters play with the Wildcats on the heels of a 2-0 week, where she allowed just nine earned runs over 16.1 innings to post a 3.86 ERA.
The Wildcats enter play on Friday with a 12-14-1 record, as the team remains winless in the BIG EAST. Villanova is coming off of a midweek loss to Penn on Wednesday, 5-3. Despite their loss, the Wildcats had four players tally hits for the team, including Brittany Husk who registered two on the day. Husk currently leads the BIG EAST with a .419 batting average, recording a team best 39 hits and 20 runs through 27 games.
Following the weekend series, the Johnnies will have a quick turn around when they gear up for a weekday matchup with LIU Brooklyn at Red Storm Field on Thursday at 3 p.m.
