TRIO OF SAINTS EARN 2008

ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS

May 8: Three St. Lawrence University softball players earned 2008 All-Conference honors, as the Liberty League announced their annual award winners on Thursday. Sophomores Molly Swan and Jessica Manderfield were Second Team choices while first year student Melissa Rogers earned Honorable Mention status.

 

Swan led the Saints in nearly every offensive category including batting average (.359), runs (13), hits (33), extra base hits (10), and RBI's (14). The Clifton Park, NY native also boasted a .500 slugging percentage and was a solid defensive player at short stop with a .907 fielding percentage.

 

Manderfield, who landed on the Liberty League’s Second Team for the second consecutive season, continued to be a productive player for St. Lawrence in her sophomore season. The Davisburg, MI native hit .326 with five extra base hits and seven RBI's. Manderfield, who was second on the team in hits with 28, was also a reliable glove in the infield with a .918 fielding percentage.

 

Meanwhile, Rogers made an immediate impact for the Saints in her rookie season, adding a consistent and strong bat to the line-up. The Clarence, NY native hit .309 in 24 games, including 21 hits and 12 RBI's. Rogers also had one home run, four doubles, 11 runs scored and was 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts.

 

Union’s Megan Kaknis was named the 2008 Liberty League “Player of the Year,” while Rochester’s Beth Ameno was tabbed the “Pitcher of the Year” and Rensselaer’s Jen Bach the “Rookie of the Year.” Finally, Union’s Pete Brown and his staff were named the league’s “Coaching Staff of the Year” following a 29-win season.

 

SOARING EAGLES SWEEP SAINTS 5-4

AND 9-7 IN FINAL GAMES OF 2008

April 30: The St. Lawrence University softball team rallied in each game of Wednesday’s final doubleheader of the season at Elmira, tying the score in the late innings. However, the Soaring Eagles would score in the bottom of the sixth inning in both games, locking up 5-4 and 9-7 home wins against the Scarlet and Brown in the season finale.

 

Elmira finishes the season with an overall mark of 13-13, while St. Lawrence closes at 9-21.

 

After the home team put up two runs in the bottom of the first inning of the opening game off of rookie pitcher Meg Goodemote, St. Lawrence pushed across a pair of runs to tie the score at 2-2. With rookie Laura Byer and sophomore Jennifer Girard in scoring position, first year student Melissa Rogers drilled a two-out double to left to tie the score.

 

The Soaring Eagles would reclaim a two-run lead in the bottom of the fifth on three hits against Goodemote. Caitlin Roman came through for the home team, delivering a two-run single to score Jamie Huntley and Andrea Masiello for a 4-2 advantage.

 

The Scarlet and Brown showed their resiliency in the top of the sixth, putting up two runs to again tie the score at 4-4. Junior Meg Richardson came across when Elmira’s short stop made an error, and Rogers again came through with an RBI single to score sophomore Molly Swan for the tying tally.

 

With Brittnee McGuire on second base and two outs in the bottom of the sixth, it was Elmira’s Jacqueline Gibson that provided the game-winning hit, driving a single to left field that allowed McGuire to come around and score to put the Soaring Eagles on top for good, 5-4. Casandra Fontinell, who allowed four runs on seven hits for Elmira, worked a perfect seventh inning to preserve the victory and improve to 6-6 on the season.

 

Goodemote suffered the loss for St. Lawrence, falling to 5-9 after giving up four earned runs on 12 hits.

 

St. Lawrence would jump out to a quick 3-0 lead in the second half of the doubleheader against Elmira pitcher Stephany Fontinell, scoring three runs in the top of the first. After Swan led off with a double, she scored the opening run on an RBI groundout by junior Lilah Brown. Two batters later, rookie Yessenia Chimelis belted her second home run of the season to put the Saints up 3-0.

 

First year student Rachel Duffany cruised through four innings on the mound against the Soaring Eagles, giving up only two hits in the opening four frames. However, her offense did little to support her through the middle innings, and Elmira made the Saints pay in the bottom of the fifth.

 

The home team scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to grab a 7-3 lead behind four hits and two

St. Lawrence errors. After plating one run, Katrina Katen jumped on a pitch and nailed a three-run homer to make the score 4-3 in Elmira’s favor. Following a walk and an error, Roman would duplicate Katen’s effort with a three-run blast of her own for a 7-3 advantage.

 

The Saints, down to their last six outs, would rally for Duffany and tie the score again in the top of the sixth inning with four runs of their own. After consecutive singles by Richardson and sophomore Amy Atkins, Swan scored Richardson with an RBI single. Rogers then came to the plate and tied the score with her first collegiate homerun, giving St. Lawrence new life with the score at 7-7.

 

Elmira would strike once again, however, in the bottom half of the sixth to claim the lead for good. With runners on second and third, Katen delivered another clutch hit, this time an RBI single that scored both runners to put the Soaring Eagles up 9-7.

 

Though St. Lawrence threatened with runners on first and second with only one, Fontinell retired both Atkins and Girard to move to 3-6 on the season behind the 9-7 victory. Duffany, who allowed only three earned runs in the contest on nine hits, finished her rookie campaign with a 4-12 record.

 

UNION ENDS SAINTS’ WINNING STREAK

WITH 9-1 AND 10-3 WINS

April 27: The St. Lawrence University softball team’s six game winning streak came to an end on Sunday afternoon at the hands of Liberty League powerhouse Union College, who improved to 27-4 (6-0) with 9-1 and 10-3 wins against the Saints (9-19, 2-6) in Canton, NY.

 

The Dutchwomen, who have now won 11 straight games, used 10 hits against rookie pitcher Meg Goodemote to pick up the victory in five innings. The visitors got on the board in the first inning of game one on an RBI single by Megan Kaknis and a two-out RBI double by Lindsay Larabee for a 3-0 advantage.

 

St. Lawrence picked up a run in the bottom half of the inning off of Union’s Ginny Sack thanks in part to a leadoff double by sophomore Molly Swan. Junior Lilah Brown singled home Swan after a sac bunt by rookie Melissa Rogers to cut the deficit to two at 3-1.

 

However, Sack would allow only one more hit the rest of the way, recording two strikeouts and two walks in 5.0 innings to improve to 14-3 on the season. She was given plenty of offense, as the Liberty League’s top-hitting team picked up two runs in the third and four in the fourth for a 9-1 cushion. Kaknis delivered a solo homerun in the third, while Ashley Kovack also had an RBI in the inning.

 

Union closed out game one’s scoring with four runs on three hits and two St. Lawrence errors, with Kaknis adding an RBI single and Larabee hitting a double with the bases loaded to plate three more runs off of Goodemote, who fell to 5-8 on the season with the loss.

 

The opening half of game two of the doubleheader saw St. Lawrence jump out to a 3-0 lead behind seven hits off of Union’s Tiffany Ippoliti while rookie Rachel Duffany kept the Dutchwomen quiet at the plate. The Scarlet and Brown did their damage in the bottom of the third when rookie Yessenia Chimelis hammed a double to left field wall that scored two for a 2-0 lead. The Saints then capitalized on an error by Union’s first baseman to take a 3-0 edge.

 

Union would climb back into the game in the top of the fourth with two runs to bring the score to 3-2. It was the sixth inning, though, that would do in Duffany and the Saints’ chances as the visitors scored five runs on four hits and three errors. Kaknis drove in two runs with a triple, while Kovack singled in another run and two more tallies came across on errors.

 

The Dutchwomen then polished off an impressive come-from-behind win with three runs in the top of the seventh inning to give Sack, who relieved Ippoliti in the fifth inning, her 15 th win of the season while Duffany dropped to 4-11. One of the differences in the contest proved to be runners left on base, as the Saints left nine on the base-paths to Union’s three.

 

Sunday’s games were the last at Saints Softball Field for senior Sheila Rodriguez, who was 1-for-3 in game two against Union. Rodriguez and the Saints will finish the 2008 season on Wednesday, April 30 with a doubleheader against Elmira beginning at 12:00pm.

 

SAINTS EXTEND WINNING STREAK TO SIX

WITH SWEEP OF THOROUGHBREDS

April 26: The St. Lawrence University softball team extended its current winning streak to six games with a pair of Liberty League victories over Skidmore College at Saints Softball Field on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore co-captain Amy Atkins delivered a clutch two RBI double to lift the Saints to a 10-8 win in game one, while rookie pitcher Rachel Duffany held the Thoroughbreds to only three hits in a 9-1 game two victory.

 

The Saints improved to 9-17 (2-4) with the wins, while Skidmore fell to 9-23 (0-6). Duffany earned both wins, though the game one victory was in relief of fellow classmate Meg Goodemote.

 

After Skidmore scored twice in the top half of the first behind three St. Lawrence errors, the Scarlet and Brown rebounded with a four-run third to take a 4-2 lead. After Goodemote came around to score on a wild pitch and sophomore Molly Swan tied it at 2-2 on an error, rookie Vicky Antanavige laced a single to left which allowed junior Lilah Brown to score. First year student Melissa Rogers also came around on the hit thanks to an error to put the home team on top 4-2.

 

The Saints tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth when Goodemote drove in both Antanavige and junior Meg Richardson off of Skidmore hurler Sarah Stehower to push the lead to 6-2.

 

The Thoroughbreds came roaring back in the top of the sixth, though, as they plated six runs on five hits and three St. Lawrence errors to grab an 8-6 lead. Delivering RBI’s for Skidmore in the inning were Caitlin Ketcham, Sasha Diamond-Lenow, Megan Braucher and Thyra Johnson.

 

St. Lawrence, now in need of a rally, would respond in style in the bottom half of the sixth with four runs on three hits and two Skidmore errors to once again regain the lead 10-8. Consecutive singles by Brown and sophomore Jess Manderfield would get the Saints rolling, and after Brown scored on an error, sophomore Alexandria Wajer would load the bases when she struck out but reached on an error by the catcher.

 

After rookie Laura Byer tied the game at 6-6 with a sacrifice fly to right field, Atkins roped a two-out RBI double to the gap, scoring both Wajer and Antanavige for the go-ahead runs at 10-8.

 

Though Duffany allowed the lead-off batter to reach in the top of the seventh, she escaped with no damage done and a 10-8 St. Lawrence victory.

 

The Saints would carry their momentum over from the game one victory to the second half of the doubleheader, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Goodemote led off with a walk, and after moving to third on a single by Swan, scored on a passed ball. Brown would then plate Swan with an RBI groundout for a two-run advantage.

 

Skidmore’s Lauren Dinsdale smashed a homerun to lead off the second inning for the visitors, though, pulling her team to within a run at 2-1. That would be the last run that Duffany would allow to score as she gave up only two more hits in the contest to earn her second win of the day.

 

The home team used six Skidmore errors to their advantage, scoring four runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to win the game 9-1 in five innings. Players with RBI’s in the game for St. Lawrence included Byer (2), Swan (2) and Goodemote, who drew a walk-off bases loaded walk for the 9-1 victory.

 

Duffany pitched 5.0 innings and allowed a run on three hits to improve to 4-10 on the season, while Dinsdale suffered the loss falling to 1-3 after allowing six runs on six hits in 3.2 innings.

 

St. Lawrence will look to extend its winning streak tomorrow, Sunday, April 27 when they take on Union College in the final home games of the 2008 season. The doubleheader is set to begin at 1:00pm, and will be the final games for senior Sheila Rodriguez.

 

SAINTS’ OFFENSE THRIVES IN SWEEP

OF POTSDAM STATE , 6-3 AND 14-6

April 22: The St. Lawrence University softball team earned their second straight doubleheader sweep on Tuesday evening with 6-3 and 14-6 wins over North Country rival Potsdam State in Potsdam, NY. Sophomore Jessica Manderfield and rookie Vicky Antanavige led the charge in the second game, while first year student Melissa Rogers recorded six hits on the afternoon.

 

The consecutive wins extended the Saints’ winning streak to four games and improved the team’s record to

7-17.

 

In the opener, first year pitcher Meg Goodemote was able to keep the home team’s line-up in check, allowing only three runs in seven innings. Rogers helped spark the Saints’ offense with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Antanavige and fellow rookies Laura Byer and Yessenia Chimelis added RBI’s in the top of the sixth to give the visitors the lead.

 

With the bases loaded, Potsdam State ’s pitcher hit Goodemote, allowing another run to cross the plate, giving St. Lawrence a 5-2 advantage.

 

The Saints would cap their scoring in the opening game when junior Meg Richardson walked and came around to score two batters later on an error by the third baseman. Potsdam would add one run in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to deny Goodemote (5-7) her second straight victory.

 

The heart of the Saints’ batting order proved to be clutch in the second half of the doubleheader, as Rogers, junior Lilah Brown, Manderfield and Antanavige, hitting in the two through five spots, cleaned up against the Bears. Trailing 2-0 in the early going, Antanavige delivered a two-out double to plate Brown and Manderfield who posted consecutive singles to start the rally.

 

After first year pitcher Rachel Duffany, the Liberty League’s “Co-Rookie of the Week” this week, fell behind 3-2 in the bottom of the third, the Scarlet and Brown responded again when sophomore Amy Atkins scored on a double by fellow classmate Molly Swan to knot the score at 3-3.

 

The Saints’ offense then blew the game open and assured Duffany of her second straight win in the top of the fifth, as the team batted around in the inning to score eight runs and take an 11-3 lead. Delivering RBI hits for

St. Lawrence in the inning were Atkins, Chimelis, Rogers (2), Brown, Manderfield and Antanavige (2).

 

Though Potsdam State would extend the game with a run in the bottom half of the inning, St. Lawrence would tack on three more runs in the top half of the seventh, with Manderfield (2) ad Antanavige again driving in the runs.

 

Atkins finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in the second game, while Manderfield was 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and two singles and Antanavige finished 3-of-5 with a pair of doubles as well.

 

The Saints will look to add to their current win streak when they welcome Skidmore College to Saints Softball Field on Saturday, April 26, with the doubleheader beginning at 1:00pm.

 

ROOKIES HELP SAINTS END LOSING STREAK

BY SWEEPING ST. JOHN FISHER

April 20: The St. Lawrence University softball team snapped their 13-game losing streak in style on Sunday afternoon, as the Saints swept a non-conference doubleheader with St. John Fisher in Pittsford, NY. First year students Meg Goodemote and Rachel Duffany were sharp in the victories, while fellow rookie Yessenia Chimelis delivered her first career homerun to help the Saints win Game One.

 

With the wins, St. Lawrence improves to 5-17 on the season, while the Cardinals drop to 17-18.

 

In the first half of the doubleheader, each team scored a run in the first inning as sophomore Molly Swan came across on a single by first year student Vicki Antanavige for the visitors and Samantha Vara homered off Goodemote to tie the score at 1-1 for Fisher.

 

After Cardinal pitcher Amanda Shevchuk issued a walk to first year student Laura Byer, Chimelis belted her first career homerun to put her team on top 3-1. The offense would be all that Goodemote would need, as the Queensbury, NY native was sharp throughout the contest.

 

After St. John Fisher pulled to within one run at 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning, the home team had their chance to even things up in the bottom of the fifth. Vara again got the Cardinals going with a leadoff single, while Nicole Middleton and Laura Rojek drew walks to load the bases with two outs. However, Goodemote buckled down and got Meghan Graves to pop up to the shortstop to end the inning and get out of the jam.

 

The Cardinals would only have one hit in the final two frames off of the rookie hurler, and St. Lawrence was able to celebrate a 3-2 win as Goodemote scattered eight hits over seven innings while walking two and striking out to and improving to 4-7 this season. Shevchuk suffered the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and a walk.

 

Duffany, who despite pitching well as of late was still looking for her first win of the season, threw a gem against St. John Fisher, allowing only four hits and never more than one in an inning. The Watertown, NY native finished with three strikeouts and no walks in the contest.

 

The Saints came through offensively for their starter in the fourth and seventh innings. After being no-hit through three innings, junior Lilah Brown led off the fourth with a single off of Cardinals’ starter Rojek. After the visitors landed runners on second and third with two outs, a throwing error by the home team’s shortstop allowed two runs to score and put St. Lawrence on top, 2-0.

 

The Scarlet and Brown then added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, as sophomore Jenna Padeni, rookie Melissa Rogers, Swan and junior Meg Richardson belted consecutive singles to make the score 3-0.

 

That lead was more than enough for Duffany, who worked perfect sixth and seventh innings to earn her first collegiate win and improve to 1-10. Rojek suffered the loss, giving up three runs on six hits in seven innings of work.

 

St. Lawrence will look to add to their momentum on Tuesday, April 22 when they visit North Country foe Potsdam State for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00pm.

 

ROCHESTER RALLIES TO SWEEP SAINTS IN

LIBERTY LEAGUE DOUBLEHEADER

April 19: The St. Lawrence University softball team dropped a Liberty League doubleheader to the University of Rochester on Saturday, extending the team’s losing streak to 13 games. Rookie pitcher Meg Goodemote threw a two-hitter in the opening game, but saw a one-run lead evaporate in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore Molly Swan finished 5-of-8 at the plate with three runs batted in on the afternoon.

 

The Saints (3-17, 0-4) grabbed an early 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning of the opening game on four hits and an error. After consecutive hits by sophomore Jessica Manderfield and junior Lilah Brown, a passed ball and an error allowed the lead runner to score to put the visitors on top, 1-0. Goodemote then helped herself with a two-out double, scoring two more runs, and Swan singled in Goodemote to make it 4-0 against Yellowjacket pitcher Brittany Hylen.

 

After cruising through the third inning, the Saints ran into trouble in the fourth as Rochester (19-10, 4-0) cut the deficit to one run at 4-3. After hitting a batter and walking two, Goodemote gave up an RBI single to Brittany Celeste that make it 4-2 with no one out. After an error allowed another run to score, the rookie pitcher battled her way out of the jam to keep her team ahead 4-3.

 

Hylen was able to stall the Saints’ offense long enough to give her team a chance to win. After getting out of the 5 th unscathed following a lead-off walk, Rochester threatened in the bottom of the sixth. Alicia Citro was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and moved to second on sac bunt. Beth Ameno then reached via an error, allowing Citro to score and for her to move all the way to third. With the score tied at 4-4, a pitch got away from sophomore catcher, allowing Ameno to score the go-ahead run on the passed ball.

 

Trailing 5-4, Swan came up big with a lead-off double in the top half of the seventh inning to chase Hylen. After rookie Melissa Rogers bunted Swan over to third off of Ameno, who relieved Hylen, a wild pitch gave Swan a green light to try and score the tying run. After getting behind the Rochester catcher, the ball bounced hard off the backstop’s post and came back towards home plate. In a close play at the plate, the Ameno tagged out Swan to keep her team’s 5-4 lead in tact. Following a strikeout of junior Meg Richardson, the Yellowjackets celebrated a come-from-behind win.

 

Goodemote suffered the loss, falling to 3-7 on the season. She gave up three earned runs on two hits, three walks and two hit batsmen. Hylen picked up the win and improved to 3-2 after six innings of work.

 

In the second half of the doubleheader, Rochester jumped out to an 8-0 lead after three innings to seize control of the contest. After a solo homerun by Jess Sorrentino put the home team up 1-0 in the first, the Yellowjackets picked up five more runs in the second inning on four hits and one error for a 6-0 cushion.

 

Sorrentino then hurt St. Lawrence rookie pitcher Rachel Duffany again in the third, as she blasted a two-run homer to make it 8-0 Rochester.

 

The Saints would chip away in the fourth and fifth innings, cutting the lead to 8-3. Swan made it 8-2 when she ripped an RBI single to right field to plate first year students Yessenia Chimelis and Laura Byer. Brown then doubled to center field in the fifth inning, scoring Manderfield from second to complete St. Lawrence’s scoring.

 

Rochester added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to bring the game to its final score of 9-3.

 

Ameno earned the win in Game Two, improving to 15-8 on the season. She gave up two hits and no runs in three innings of work, while Citro was solid in four innings of relief. Duffany fell to 0-10 this season after allowing nine runs on ten hits.

 

St. Lawrence will try again to snap their losing streak tomorrow, Sunday, April 20 when they play a doubleheader against St. John Fisher beginning at 1:00pm.

 

HAMILTON QUIETS SAINTS’ BATS,

SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER 4-1 AND 1-0

April 16: The St. Lawrence University softball team received solid pitching performances from first year students Meg Goodemote and Rachel Duffany on Wednesday, as the rookie duo held Hamilton College in check throughout both games of a doubleheader. However, the Saints’ could muster little offense against Hamilton ’s Megan Coughlin as the Continentals escaped with 4-1 and 1-0 victories at Saints Softball Field.

 

St. Lawrence dropped to 3-15 on the season with the losses, extending their winless streak to 11 games while Hamilton improved to 10-12 on the year with the back-to-back wins.

 

Hamilton struck first in the opening game off of Goodemote in the 2nd inning, though the run was unearned. With runners on first and third and one away, a throwing error allowed both runners to advance and give the Continentals a 1-0 lead. Goodemote, however, would buckle down and retire both Liz Reid and Robin Brown to end the inning.

 

The visitors would grab a 2-0 lead in the 5th when Kelly Fitzsimmons came across on a passed ball. Goodemote again worked her way out of a jam, as she retired consecutive batters with Continentals on second and third.

 

The Saints’ got a spark in the bottom of the six when rookie Melissa Rogers drew a one-out walk on Coughlin. Sophomore short stop Molly Swan then delivered an RBI triple to centerfield to score Rogers, cutting the team’s deficit to 2-1.

 

Swan, representing the tying run at third base, would gamble on the following play as she tried to score on a ball hit back to the pitcher off the bat of fellow classmate Jessica Manderfield. Coughlin alertly got the ball to her catcher Amber O’Connor who tagged Swan out at home and threw Manderfield out at second trying to advance on the play for an inning-ending double play.

 

Hamilton would tack on two insurance runs in the top of the 7th on three hits and one error. Trailing by the score of 4-1, the Saints would bring Goodemote to the plate in the bottom half of the inning representing the tying run with runners on first and third. However, Coughlin got her to fly out to the first basemen to end the contest.

 

The second half of the doubleheader also proved to be a pitcher’s dual, as Duffany squared off against Coughlin with each hurler allowing only five hits a piece. St. Lawrence would squander a chance in the first inning after back-to-back hits, while Duffany didn’t allow a hit until the 4th inning and got back-to-back strikeouts to strand a Hamilton runner at third base in the top half of the 3rd inning.

 

With the game still scoreless in the top of the 7th, Duffany retired Jen Sadowky and Coughlin before surrendering a walk to Leigh Sherrow. In a close play at second, Sherrow stole a bag and would come around to score on a clutch base hit to left field by Liz Farrington for the go-ahead run.

 

The Saints were unable to get any momentum going in the bottom of the inning, as they went down in order, losing a tight 1-0 game.

 

Coughlin allowed only seven hits on the day for Hamilton and improved to 7-7 on the season with the two wins. Goodemote fell to 3-6 on the year after allowing four runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts, while Duffany dropped to 0-9 despite a solid outing including three strikeouts.

 

St. Lawrence will be in action again on Saturday, April 19 when they visit the University of Rochester for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00pm.

 

RENSSELAER SWEEPS SAINTS IN

LIBERTY LEAGUE OPENERS

April 13: The St. Lawrence University softball team dropped both games of its Sunday doubleheader to Rensselaer in Troy, NY by the scores of 10-2 (5) and 8-0 (5). The Red Hawks’ pitching staff allowed on six hits all afternoon, and used three big innings to sweep the Scarlet and Brown.

 

In the opener, St. Lawrence earned a 1-0 lead off of RPI pitcher Michelle Street in the top half of the first inning. After consecutive singles by rookie Melissa Rogers and sophomore Jessica Manderfield, Street walked junior Meghan Richardson and sophomore Molly Swan to plate the first run of the afternoon.

 

However, Saints’ rookie pitcher Meg Goodemote would run into trouble in the first inning as well, allowing four runs on four hits and one error with the big hit coming off the bat of Beth Gargon with an RBI double to make the score 4-1 Red Hawks.

 

Though St. Lawrence would tally another run in the second inning, the four runs would be enough for the home team as Street and Felicia Bua would combine for the three-hitter. The Saints made the score 4-2 when Manderfield hit a sac fly to center, scoring sophomore Amy Atkins.

 

Rensselaer would get that run back and then some in the third and fourth innings off of Goodemore, building their lead to 9-2. After back-to-back singles in the third, Natalie Gendron hit an RBI single to score Gargon. The Red Hawks would then score four more in the fourth thanks to a two-run homerun by Jen Bach and a two-run double by Logan Russell.

 

After the Saints went down in order in both the fourth and fifth innings, Bach would end the game with a one-out RBI single to bring the score to its final of 10-2.

 

Street earned the win after pitching three innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs, though Bua was sharp in relief, allowing no hits in two innings. Goodemote (3-5) suffered the loss after allowing 10 runs on 12 hits and 5 walks in 4.1 innings.

 

In the second half of the double header, all of Rensselaer’s offense came in the first inning off of St. Lawrence rookie pitcher Rachel Duffany as the Red Hawks scored eight runs on seven hits and three errors, with three of the runs came on a homerun by Genevieve Falco. The 8-0 cushion was more than enough for Michelle Bianchetti, who allowed only three base-runners in the contest.

 

St. Lawrence was unable to manufacture any runs against the Red Hawks, with hits coming from Swan and Atkins (2). Because the Saints couldn’t close the gap after five innings, Rensselaer earned the sweep to improve to 19-3 on the season and 2-0 in Liberty League play.

 

Bianchetti struck out four in 5.0 innings of work to improve to 6-1 this season, while Duffany allowed only one hit after the first inning, but falls to 0-8 on the 2008 campaign.

 

St. Lawrence will look to snap their nine-game losing streak when they welcome Hamilton College to Canton, NY for a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 16 beginning at 4:00pm.

 

PLATTSBURGH STATE SPOILS SAINTS’

HOME OPENERS 9-2 AND 11-0

April 8: The St. Lawrence University softball team played their first two home games of the season on Tuesday evening, as the Saints hosted Plattsburgh State to a non-conference doubleheader at Saints Softball Field. The Cardinals spoiled the home openers, though, defeating the Scarlet and Brown 9-2 and 11-0.

 

The defeats extend St. Lawrence’s losing streak to seven games and drops the team’s record to 3-11. Plattsburgh improved to 11-9 overall with the back-to-back wins.

 

The Saints hung around against the Cardinals in the opening game, cutting Plattsburgh’s early lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning. First year student Vicki Antanavige landed on first base after a single to right, and advanced on a ground out by sophomore Amy Atkins. Antanavige would then come around to score on a two-out hit by fellow rookie Laura Byer to centerfield, pulling St. Lawrence to within two runs.

 

First year pitcher Meg Goodemote did a nice job of keeping the Cardinals in check throughout the contest, though Plattsburgh would pad their lead in the sixth inning with two runs to bring the score to 5-1. St. Lawrence had a chance to again cut into their lead in the bottom half of the sixth, but with runners on first and second, Byer was unable to come up with the timely hit, grounding out to Plattsburgh State pitcher Stephanie Zweig.

 

Plattsburgh State would tack on four insurance runs to put the opening game out of reach, with RBI’s coming off the bats of Tiffany Burek (2) and Amy Woo (2) to make the score 9-1. St. Lawrence would add one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as sophomore Molly Swan singled home Goodemote after the pitcher laced a triple to left.

 

Both teams finished the opening game with 11 hits, but St. Lawrence left 10 runners on base to come up short in the loss. Zweig improved to 6-4 on the season, while Goodemote fell to 3-4.

 

Plattsburgh State would again jump out to a lead in the second game, scoring twice in both the top of the third and fourth innings. Danielle Gjergji hit a two-out, two RBI triple in the third off of St. Lawrence rookie pitcher Rachel Duffany (0-7) and Corrine Gioia added an RBI single to plate two in the fourth.

 

The 4-0 lead was more than enough for Plattsburgh hurler Jaclyn Leitze, who was perfect through five innings of play.

 

The Cardinals used a seven-run top half of the sixth to put the game out of reach and put the focus on Leitze as she attempted to finish off a perfect game. However, Atkins broke up the bid with a line drive single to center field, spoiling both the perfect game and no hit effort. Though Atkins’ hit was followed by one from Byer, the Saints were unable to manufacture runs and the game was called after six innings with the score at 11-0.

 

Leitze improved to 5-5 on the season, striking out 12 St. Lawrence batters in game two. Duffany, meanwhile, allowed 16 hits and nine earned runs with two strike outs.

 

The Saints will turn their attention to conference play as they head to Troy, NY for a doubleheader against Rensselaer on Sunday, April 13.

 

SAINTS RETURN WITH 3-9 RECORD

AFTER SPRING TRIP

Mar. 21: The St. Lawrence University softball team concluded their spring trip to Fort Myers, FL on Friday with games against Southern Maine and Plymouth State. The Scarlet and Brown were only able to manufacture two runs between the two games, however, dropping both contests and finishing the trip with a 3-9 mark on the season.

 

St. Lawrence’s losses on Friday followed consecutive defeats to Western New England College (WNEC) and Concordia on Thursday, extending their losing streak to five games. The Saints tried to rally from a four-run deficit against WNEC, scoring two runs and pulling to within two at 8-6 with runners on second and third and two out in the final inning. However, a fantastic shoe-string catch by WNEC’s right fielder on a hard-hit ball by Amy Atkins ended the game and gave the Golden Bears the win.

 

Junior Lilah Brown had a pair of RBI’s against WNEC, while sophomore Molly Swan nailed a solo home run in the third inning. The Saints’ efforts in the final inning could not keep rookie Meg Goodemote from suffering the loss, despite striking out four batters.

 

The Saints were unable to get much going against a tough Concordia team in the second game on Thursday, as they posted 21 runs against the Scarlet and Brown. Though sophomore Jess Manderfield and Brown had RBI’s, rookie Rachel Duffany suffered the loss.

 

St. Lawrence continued to struggle in their final contests on Friday against Southern Maine and Plymouth State, as both Goodemote and Duffany took losses. Though Atkins launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning, it was too little, too late for the Saints, as the Huskies had already put up six runs in the top half of the inning en route to a 10-2 win.

 

In the team’s final game in Fort Myers, the Saints’ bats were kept quiet by Plymouth State’s Ashley Pinkan, who allowed only three hits in the game. The Panthers offered their pitcher solid run support, tallying eight runs and blanking St. Lawrence 8-0.

 

The Saints will look to end their five-game losing skid when they compete in the 2008 Elmira Tournament next Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30.

 

 

SAINTS SPLIT WITH ILLINOIS

COLLEGE AND BOWDOIN

Mar. 20: The St. Lawrence University softball team split their doubleheader on Wednesday, defeating Illinois College 2-0 before falling to Bowdoin, 7-2. The Saints are now 3-5 on their spring trip in Fort Myers, FL.

 

In the opener against Illinois College, rookie pitcher Meg Goodemote was on her game, allowing only a pair of hits and three walks to improve to 3-1 on the season.

 

Junior Meg Richardson opened the scoring, as she came around after a leadoff single in the top of the second thanks to an RBI single from sophomore Amy Atkins. First year student Vicky Antanavige, who singled behind Richardson, also scored on the play thanks to an overthrow on a play at the plate.

 

Illinois College’s biggest threat to the Saints’ 2-0 lead came in the bottom of the fifth with two outs, as consecutive hits from Jodi Schroeder and Sarah Holloway set up runners on first and third. Goodemote battled out of the jam, though, getting Sydni Szfranski to ground out to short to end the inning and ensure St. Lawrence of the win.

 

The Saints were unable to come up with a sweep, as Bowdoin College took advantage of six St. Lawrence errors to earn a 7-2 win. First year student Rachel Duffany suffered the loss, though she had little defensive help.

 

Sophomore Molly Swan scored the Saints’ first run of the game in the top of the third, as she doubled and moved to third on an error. The Clifton Park, NY native would then score on a passed ball, and finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate.

 

Bowdoin would score two runs in the first thanks to two St. Lawrence errors. The Polar Bears would then capitalize in the next three innings to build their lead to 7-1.

 

The final run for St. Lawrence came in the top of the sixth, as Richardson led off with a single and moved to second on an error. Sophomore Jess Manderfield advanced Richardson to third, before junior Lilah Brown delivered a single to center field for an RBI.

 

St. Lawrence has four remaining games on their spring trip, as they take on WNEC and Concordia on Thursday and Southern Maine and Plymouth State on Friday.

 

 

SAINTS REBOUND WITH IMPRESSIVE WIN

OVER ROGER WILLIAMS, 9-5

Mar. 17: Behind an impressive outing from first year pitcher Meg Goodemote, the St. Lawrence University softball team rebounded after consecutive losses to Richard Stockton and Albright with a 9-5 win over Roger Williams on Monday afternoon in Fort Myers, FL.

 

The Saints dropped their second game on Monday to UW Superior by the score of 7-1, sending their record to

2-4 overall.

 

Against Roger Williams on Monday, Goodemote allowed only two earned runs while recording two strikeouts, and helped her own cause with two RBI’s. The Queensbury, NY native led off the game with a home run, while her fellow rookies Vicky Antanavige (one RBI), Laura Byer (one RBI) and Melissa Rogers (two RBI’s) also provided the team’s offense.

 

With the Scarlet and Brown trailing in the top half of the sixth inning by the score of 5-3, the team put together and impressive five-run rally to take control of the contest. Junior Lilah Brown had a lead-off single, and fellow classmate Meg Richardson bunted her way on base. Antanavige then plated Brown with an RBI single, while Goodemote added a sac fly two batters later. Sophomore Jenny Girard’s single to left would then score one, while Rogers delivered the final blow with a two-RBI base knock to put St. Lawrence ahead 8-5.

 

Meanwhile, in the second game on Monday, UW Superior jumped all over Goodemote, scoring five runs in the first inning. However, the rookie settled in nicely after the first frame, allowing only two more runs in the contest.

 

St. Lawrence’s lone run in the game came in the fifth, as Byer drove in Richardson with a single following an error by one of UW Superior’s infielders.

 

Monday’s split came after consecutive losses on Sunday to Richard Stockton and Albright. First year student Rachel Duffany suffered the loss to Richard Stockton, while Rogers and sophomores Jess Manderfield and Amy Atkins had RBI’s. Duffany again took the loss against Albright, with the offense coming off Richardson’s bat, as the Canton, NY native nailed a two-run homer.

 

St. Lawrence will have Tuesday off before returning to action on Wednesday, March 19 against Illinois College and Bowdoin.

 

SAINTS OPEN SEASON WITH A SPLIT

The St. Lawrence Softball Team opened their 2008 season with a 5-1 win over Finlandia University while falling to Wooster College 1-0 on Saturday.

 

The Saints put runners on base in all but one inning against Wooster but were not able to push a run across the plate. First year pitcher Rachel Duffany opened her collegiate career giving up only three hits.

 

Wooster got on the board in the bottom of the second inning when Duffany walked the lead-off batter Kim Skully who then went on to score following a pair of Saint errors.

 

In the second game First Year Pitcher Meg Goodemote gave up only two hits in the 5-1 victory over Finlandia University. The Saints struck quickly in the first inning when Sophomore Molly Swan drew a walk then stole second base. FY Melissa Rogers drove Swan home with a single to right center field. Finlandia came back in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game. Lead-off batter Brenda Peterson singled and scored on two Saint errors.

 

The Saints scored three runs in the third to pull ahead of Finlandia for good. Meg Goodemote led off the inning with a single to left field. Sophomore Jenny Girard advanced Goodemote to second on a sacrifice bunt. Swan drilled a double deep into left center scoring Goodemote. The Saints kept the rally alive by forcing a throwing error on Finlandia allowing Swan to score the second run of the inning. Soph Jess Mandefield drove Rogers home when she cranked a triple to the fence in right center.

 

The Saints added an insurance run in the seventh when Girard got to third on an overthrow by the Lions. Swan delivered her second RBI of the game scoring Girard when a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Saints are back in action on Sunday facing Richard Stockton and Albright College.

 

 

SWAN JOINS HOWARD AND NOYES AT NCAA REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Dec. 18: Sophomore Molly Swan, who had a solid rookie season in 2007 with the Saints softball team, joined Assistant Athletic Director Mike Howard and men's Nordic ski team captain Isaac Noyes at the 2007 NCAA Division III Regional Leadership Conference this fall.

 

The event, which took place at the Hilton Hotel in Boston, MA, placed the three St. Lawrence University representatives with hundreds of other student-athletes and coaches from 20-plus Division III institutions.

 

The weekend was packed with full-day sessions, all geared towards better understand what leadership is, how to become a better leader, and implementing strategy once returning to campus. Participants were first profiled into a personality type and leadership style, then were taught how to recognize other styles and how to better interact with them.

 

The representatives from St. Lawrence worked in athletic conference groups (Liberty league + NESCAC) to develop leadership/event plans to help foster a better atmosphere with in their respective teams and to help generate support and activity within their athletic and student body communities. The weekend was capped off with a private, catered meal at the Boston Aquarium.

 

 

PITTELLI RETURNS TO SAINTS AS ASSISTANT

COACH FOR 2008 SEASON

Sept. 25: Former captain and starting catcher for the St. Lawrence University softball team Melissa Pittelli has returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach for the 2008 season.

 

Pittelli graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology in the spring of 2007. She was a dual-sport athlete at St. Lawrence, playing both softball and field hockey. The Corinth, NY native served as captain for each squad in both her junior and senior seasons, and was named an Regional All-American for field hockey in both 2005 and 2006.

 

In the summer of 2007, Pittelli served as a camp counselor for mentally and physically disabled adults. Prior to that, she worked at field hockey and softball camps at Corinth High School. Pittelli also served as a local facilitator, helping to strengthen University and community relationships.

 

“We are very excited to have Melissa back, as our young team looks to her as both a leader and teacher of the game,” said Saints head coach Fran Grembowicz. “Her experiences as a dual-sport athlete will help both our softball and field hockey teams grow throughout the seasons.”