April 5, 2008

Box Score

Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's softball team split their opening double-header of Pacific Coast Softball Conference play, falling in the first 2-0, and winning the second 4-3. With the split the Gaels begin conference with a 1-1 record and 14-16 overall record. The second game of the day was highlighted by senior Megan Galloway and sophomore Jenna Smith's homeruns, sending the game into extra innings.

The Gaels seemed to find their offensive rhythm in the second match-up, recording four runs and seven hits, compared to the first appearance when they totaled no runs and three hits. Saint Mary's first run came off a Galloway whammy in the bottom of the fifth, as the senior sent the first pitch flying over the left field fence. Smith followed Galloway's lead in the bottom of the sixth, hitting one past the scoreboard, and bringing in two runs to tie the game at three apiece.

The round tripper for Galloway marked her third of the season, while Smith boosted her total count to nine. With nine homeruns the sophomore has now clinched the Saint Mary's single season record.

The tie score sent the game into extra innings, but Saint Mary's Galloway provided solid pitching in the seventh and eight innings, holding off the Hornets as she did not allow a single hit. Molly Bergeson started things off in the bottom of the ninth, reaching first on a single down the left field line. Smith was up next, and with the intimidation factor in hand, the sophomore made solid contact with two Hornet pitches, but was unable to straighten it out in the end, finishing her at bat with a pop-up to the catcher. Senior Chelsea Loftis would be the final Gael to step-up to the plate, as she planned to use a sacrifice bunt to advance Bergeson to second. Sacramento State ended up recording an error on the play, as they overthrew first base, which sent Bergeson firing around the bases. The senior displayed her impressive quickness as she rounded both second and third, scoring on the play and ending the game, 4-3.

In the first game of the day the Gaels struggled offensively, as the Hornet combination of Brittani Clifford and Kayla Meeks combined to allow only three hits and no runs. In the circle for Saint Mary's, Galloway gave up seven hits and no earned runs, but errors proved to be the determining factor. Errors in the top of the first and fourth innings allowed the Hornets their only two runs, as it would be enough to top the Gaels 2-0.

The Pacific Coast Softball Conference series between the Gaels and the Hornets will continue on Sunday, April 6, as they begin the double-header at 12:00 PM.