Bob Guerriero Picks Up First Win as Head Coach

Saturday, February 9

Boca Raton, Fla.

1:30 p.m.

St. John's University

1-2

Bethune Cookman

1-3

Bethune-Cookman

St. Johns

2/10/2019 12:07:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score (Game One)Box Score (Game Two)

St. John’s splits its second day at FAU “First Pitch” Classic

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2019) – Bob Guerriero picked up his first head coaching victory in St. John's win over Bethune-Cookman before falling to Indiana on the second day of the FAU "First Pitch" Classic.

Game 1

            The Red Storm took down 2018 MEAC Champion Bethune-Cookman, 6-3, giving the first-year head coach his first win at the helm of the program.

            "Of course it's great to get that first win but it's really more important for the team to get on the board with a win," Coach Guerriero said. "The girls are playing hard and tough and it was good to see their efforts result in a win."

            Rookie Angela Saric tossed her first collegiate complete game, a three-run, four-strikeout effort over seven innings of work.

            After a scoreless first inning for both teams, St. John's jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the second.

            Sophomore Gabriella Conca sparked the Johnnies with a one-out double to right-center. Two batters later, Kamryn Tiumalu drove an RBI single to left, bringing Conca around to score and taking a 1-0 lead. Fellow freshman Meisha Murray followed up with a two-out single of her own before Amelia Ditolvo sent a three-run homer over the left field fence to expand the Johnnies' lead to four.

          Gretchen Bowie extended the inning with her 100th career hit, an infield single in the hole between third base and shortstop. The junior third baseman advanced to second when Wildcats pitcher Alexis Bermudez stood outside the circle and unknowingly kept the ball in play. The Sparta, N.J. native tacked on the Red Storm's final run of the inning when Marissa Rizzi stole second and Bowie reached home on the throw.

            Bethune-Cookman (1-3) responded with a three-spot on five hits, narrowing the deficit to 5-3 after three.

            Neither team scored until the bottom of the fourth when Rizzi crossed the plate on an RBI double by Natalie Giroux. Rizzi finished the contest 3-for-4, her first three-hit game since the Johnnies' 8-2 victory over Iona on March 27, 2018.

            Both teams were held scoreless and combined for three hits through the final three frames. Ditolvo negated the Wildcats only threat in the sixth when she made an over-the-shoulder catch behind second base and doubled up the runner at third.

            St. John's remains undefeated against the Wildcats, going 5-0 since 1998.

Game 2

            The Red Storm suffered an 11-0 loss to Indiana in five innings.

            Amelia Ditolvo ripped a lead-off single down the third-base line against Hoosier ace Tara Trainer. The senior pitcher shook off the early hit and retired the next three Johnnies in a row.

            The Hoosiers (4-0) posted a nine-spot in the bottom of the first. Indiana outfielder Gabbi Jenkins led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch before St. John's catcher Peyton Cody caught her stealing third for the first out.

            Despite the failed steal attempt, Indiana continued to use their speed to frustrate the Red Storm by swiping five bases and advancing on all wild pitches and passed balls throughout the game.

            Kamryn Tiumalu threatened the Hoosiers in the second frame, reaching base for the second-straight game on a single over the third baseman's head. Trainer once again stopped the Red Storm in its tracks and prevented any runners from moving past second base. The only Johnnie to advance to third was Gretchen Bowie on her one-out triple to right-center in the third inning.

            Right-hander Kayla Kmett settled down after the first frame, allowing just two hits in her final three innings of work.

            Meisha Murray used her own speed against the Hoosiers, laying down a bunt that broke up Indiana reliever Josie Wood's perfect outing in the fifth. Wood went on to force two groundouts to end the game.

            St. John's closes out the FAU "First Pitch" Classic with a 9 a.m. contest against Virginia.