April 10, 2008

Box Score - Game One

Box Score - Game Two

Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's softball (15-19) earned a double-header split against Oregon State (24-19) Thursday afternoon, defeating the Beavers in the second game of the day, 3-1, after losing 1-0 in the first. The win marked the Gaels' first victory over Oregon State since 1989.

Megan Galloway earned the win, holding the Beavers to four hits and one run, while striking out two. The senior leads Saint Mary's with an 8-9 record this season, including 10 complete games in 18 appearances.

Saint Mary's three runs were all scored in the bottom of the fifth, as sophomore Kat Delpit led off with a single up the middle. Second baseman, Bronwyn Russell, was the next Gael to find a gap, tagging a single to the left field.

With Delpit and Russell on third and second, sophomore Jenna Smith came up to the plate in hopes of RBIs. The designated player was just a few feet shy of yet another home run, posting a ground-rule double to bring both runners home. Smith leads the team with 26 RBI so far this season.

A final hit in the inning by Sadie Dolcini brought Smith home, as Dolcini posted a single to center. The three-run inning was all the Gaels needed to top the Beavers, as Galloway continued to quiet her opponents' bats.

In the first game of the day freshman Maryanne Cronin provided stellar pitching, hold Oregon State to three hits and one run. The right hander did not allow a Beaver hit until the top of the fifth inning, and held Oregon State off home plate until the seventh. With two outs and a runner on second, the Beaver's Cambria Miranda nailed a double to right center, bringing home their only run of the day.

Unfortunately for Cronin, the bats of the Gaels did not find their rhythm, as they went scoreless in the seventh. In the game Saint Mary's finished with four hits and no runs against Oregon State's Kelly Dyer, as she improved to 15-13 on the year.

The Gaels will return to Pacific Coast Softball Conference action this weekend, as they take a road trip down to Santa Clara, CA, where they face the Santa Clara Broncos in double headers on both Saturday and Sunday. The first pitch for both days is scheduled for 12:00 PM.