SHU Softball Splits NEC Pair with Monmouth
4/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 26, 2005
FAIRFIELD, CT (April 26, 2005) - The Sacred Heart softball team (12-18, 5-7 NEC) used a seven run third inning and held on late to earn a 7-6 win over Monmouth University in game one of a Northeast Conference double header Tuesday afternoon. The Hawks (27-14, 8-6 NEC) rebounded in game two using a solid pitching performance from Angela Rand to come away with a 6-2 win in the night cap.
Monmouth struck first in game one, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. The Hawks first two batters, Kristin Wilson and Sue Micchelli, found themselves on second and third after back-to-back errors by SHU first baseman, Dana Jusino. Shortstop Dawn Gilchrist laced a double to right to plate both Wilson and Micchelli for an early 2-0 Hawk lead.
MU tacked on another run in the third and pitcher Heather Gordon threw a scoreless first and second before the SHU bats came alive. The Pioneers struck big in the third, scoring seven runs on seven hits with help from two Hawk errors. A pair of run scoring singles my shortstop Melissa Mezzanotte and designated player Brittany Uno followed by the big blow, a two-run double by centerfielder Tiffanie Cross-Monzo, highlighted the inning.
SHU's Danielle Mellin gave way to Christy DeMott in the sixth after the Hawks cut it to 7-4 in the fifth and put runners on loaded the bases with one out in the sixth. DeMott struck out Wilson swinging for the second out and Michelli singled home Archer but SHU cut off Kara O'Dell trying to score from third for the final out.
A scoreless Pioneer sixth put DeMott on the mound with a 7-5 lead, three outs a way from a game one victory. The junior right-hander gave up a double to right center off the back of Gilchrist to start the inning. Gordon popped out to short and Dana Pasini flied out to left, advancing Gilchrist to third. She would later score on a wild pitch, but DeMott settled in, striking out catcher Ashley Dellens looking to end the game.
Mellin earned the win, her third on the year, after going five and a third allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits with six strikeouts. DeMott earned her first save. Gordon took the loss after lasting three innings allowing all seven runs, five earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts.
Monmouth's Rand led the Hawks in Game Two on the mound, scattering eight hits while allowing two runs, one earned, with five K's. The Hawks banged out 12 hits off Pioneer sophomore Bethany Lemenager to earn the win.
The Pioneers trailed 2-0 after three as rightfielder Jen Place led off the inning with a single up the middle. Uno moved her to second with a bunt and scored on a Gilchrist error later in the inning. The Hawks built their lead to 3-1 in the fourth and 5-1 in the sixth on a two-run double by Micchelli. Monmouth tacked on one more in seventh and looked to closed it out 1-2-3 in the bottom half.
SHU refused to go quietly as second baseman Becky Cameron led off the inning with a single to right. Mezzanotte doubled to right and Place singled home Cameron with her third hit of the game to cut it to 6-2. SHU loaded the bases on a Uno single and sent the tying the run to the plate twice in Carroll and Cross-Monzo. Rand got Carroll to fly to right and Cross-Monzo ended the game with a long fly out to center, sending the Hawks home 6-2 winners.
The Pioneers will return to action on Friday when they travel to the University of Virginia for a pair of non-conference games.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
