March 8, 2012

Box Score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Widener University softball team used a three run seventh inning to break a 0-0 tie en route to a 3-0 victory over Emmanuel College on Thursday afternoon at Oren Brown Park during the 2012 Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla. With the win, the Pride improve to 3-2 on the year while the loss drops the Saints to 1-6 overall.

With the score deadlock at 0-0, the Saints threatened to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth as junior first baseman Kelly Lloid (Issaquah, Wash) got things started with a one out walk. Senior pitcher Kathryn Copp (Fremont, N.H.) followed it up with a single to right to put two on with one out and the go ahead run in scoring position. The Pride was able to induce a fly out to center by sophomore designated player Jennifer Garrity (Lynn, Mass.) but during the at bat a wild pitch allowed for both baserunners to advance a bag to put runners at second and third with two out for freshman second baseman Alexandra Bressette (North Easton, Mass.) After working a 3-0 count, Bressette laced a ball to left but junior left fielder Jody Salvatore (Williamstown, N.J.) came up with a lunging stab to preserve the shutout for Widener and give them the momentum heading into the top of the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, a one out single by junior third baseman Kristina Ostaszewski (Philadelphia, Pa.) got things started for the Pride. Salvatore followed it up with a single to center before junior right fielder Jess Way (Marlton, N.J.) drew a walk to load the bases for the no. nine hitter in sophomore pitcher Jackie Korang (Delran, N.J.). Korang helped her own cause and dropped down a swinging bunt single down the third base line to plate Ostaszewski and give the Pride a 1-0 lead. Next up, freshman first baseman Carissa Harris (Douglasville, Pa.) delivered the devastating blow with a two-RBI single to right field to make it 3-0 before the Saints were able to retire the next two hitters to get out of the inning.

Korang made quick work of the Saints in the bottom of the seventh, needing just five pitches to retire Emmanuel in order en route to the Pride's 3-0 win.

Emmanuel may have had its best chance to get on the board in the fourth inning when Lloid led off the inning with a single to centerfield and immediately stole second to put a running in scoring position with no outs. With Copp at the plate, the Saints ran themselves out of any chance at scoring as Lloid was gunned down at third on a fielder's choice. The inning continued and EC still threatened as Garrity walked before Bressette singled up the middle to load the bases with just the one out. Up next, senior center fielder Chelsey Guselli (Methuen, Mass.) grounded into an inning-ending 4-2-3 double play as the Pride were able to escape the jam unharmed.

Salvatore and Harris each finished the game with two hits for the Pride while Bressette was the lone Saint with multiple hits going 2-3 out of the no. hole.

Over the first six innings, both Copp (0-2) and Korang were impressive on the hill in the stalemate. Copp had allowed just five hits while Korang surrendered seven over the six innings of action before her team delivered in the seventh.

The Saints will return to action later this afternoon when they face off against the College of Saint Benedict at 3:45 PM.