Saint Joseph's Softball Drops Pair in Season-Opening Tournament
CONWAY, S.C. - The Saint Joseph's softball team opened its season Friday taking an early 5-3 lead on James Madison. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the lead was short lived as the Dukes came back to top SJU, 6-5, in the opening game of the Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina. In the nightcap, Coastal Carolina jumped out to a 4-0 early lead and held on for a 5-1 victory.
Saint Joseph's Softball Drops Pair in Season-Opening Tournament
CONWAY, S.C. - The Saint Joseph's softball team opened its season Friday taking an early 5-3 lead on James Madison. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the lead was short lived as the Dukes came back to top SJU, 6-5, in the opening game of the Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina. In the nightcap, Coastal Carolina jumped out to a 4-0 early lead and held on for a 5-1 victory.
In the opener, the Hawks fell behind 3-0 to start, but rallied to take the lead with a five-run bottom of the third. JuniorMonica Aguilar recorded the first RBI for the Hawks with a bases-loaded walk that scored sophomore Dana Parks. Senior Dana Bieniek and freshman Morgan Earling followed with an RBI each, while rookie Maria Ficca gave the Hawks the lead with a two-run single to center field that scored Aguilar and Bieniek on the play.
Saint Joseph's lead didn't last long as James Madison answered in the top of the fourth with four runs to regain the lead, 6-5.
The Hawks' best chance at tying the game came in the bottom of the fourth, but they failed to convert, leaving the bases loaded.
Against host Coastal Carolina, the Hawks found themselves down 4-0 after a grand slam by Jesse Winans in the bottom of the second.
Cardone would collect her first RBI of the season in the top of the fifth as Ficca scored on an infield single. But it wasn't enough as Coastal Carolina tacked on a run in the bvottom half of the inning and preserved the 5-1 win.
Saint Joseph's (0-2) begins day two of the tournament at 11 a.m. Saturday against Bucknell.