KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Saint Joseph's College (1-3) dropped a pair of games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Monday. The Monks fell to #15 WPI (3-1), 7-5, and suffered an 11-6 loss at the hands of Thiel College (2-2).
#15 WPI 7, SAINT JOSEPH'S 5
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Monks struck first, as sophomore first baseman Melodie Bailey (Lebanon, Maine) walked and later scored on a Carla Tripp (Lovell, Maine) single up the middle in the bottom of the second. The lead was short-lived however, as the Engineers plated four runs off four hits in the top of the third and held a 5-2 lead through five frames.
Saint Joseph's went on to tie the contest with three runs off three hits and a WPI miscue in the bottom of the sixth. Freshmen Kaylee Burns (Saco, Maine), Madisyn Charest (Sidney, Maine), and Libby Pomerleau (Saco, Maine) registered an RBI apiece to make it a 5-5 game through six full innings.
The Engineers clinched the victory with two unearned runs off two hits in the seventh. Cassie Graca (Somerset, Mass.) singled and later scored on an infield error and Kristin Gallagher (Coventry, R.I.) reached home on a Natalie Fabrizio (Hampstead, N.H.) triple.
ON THE MOUND:
SJC sophomore Kristal Smith (Pittston, Maine) was hit with her first loss of the season after allowing seven runs (four earned) off nine hits and four walks with three strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
WPI junior Casey Arpin (Uxbridge, Mass.) picked up the victory with an inning of scoreless relief and freshman Mackenzie Phillips (Gill, Mass.), who started in the circle and returned in the seventh, picked up her second save of the young season. Phillips fanned nine while allowing five runs (three earned) off six hits and three walks during six innings of work.
OFF THE BAT – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Sophomore shortstop Meghan Elliott (Blackstone, Mass.) was 2-4 with a run and a double
- Senior designated player Jennifer Murphy (Andover, Mass.) went 2-4 with a double and an RBI
OFF THE BAT – WPI:
- Senior catcher Lindsay Gurska (Revere, Mass.) was 2-4 with a pair of RBI and a stolen base
- Junior Nina Murphy-Cook (Roseville, Calif.) went 2-3 with a run and a stolen base
- Fabrizio tripled and knocked in three runs
THIEL 11, SAINT JOSEPH'S 6
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Errors proved to be costly for the Monks, as Saint Joseph's committed five miscues resulting in seven unearned runs in what could have been a very close contest, if not a victory.
ON THE MOUND:
Making her first collegiate appearance, SJC freshman pitcher Kate Whitney (Jonesboro, Maine) took the loss after allowing eight runs (four earned) off nine hits and two walks with three K's over three innings. Freshmen pitcher Katelyn Olsen (Hartford, Maine) yielded three unearned runs off six hits in 1.1 frames and first-year Caitlyn King (Old Town, Maine) tossed 1.2 perfect innings with one punch-out.
Tomcats starter Jessica Kelley (Sarver, Pa.) earned her first win of the season after allowing six runs (four earned) off 10 hits and two walks with four strikeouts in a complete-game performance.
OFF THE BAT – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Senior third baseman Mariah Harrison (Buxton, Maine) went 2-4 with a double and two RBI
- Junior second baseman Kelsy Gaddy (Limington, Maine) was 2-4 with a run, a double, and a stolen base
- Bailey added two hits, a run, a double, and an RBI in four at-bats
- Sophomore Danielle Pinkham (Damariscotta, Maine) was 1-3 with a pair of RBI
OFF THE BAT – THIEL:
- Freshman Vanessa Falce (McKeesport, Pa.) was 3-4 with two runs, two doubles, and a pair of RBI
- Kelley went 3-4 with two runs and an RBI
- Senior Alana Callahan (Austintown, Ohio) produced two hits and an RBI and scored twice
- Junior Alexa Fike (Export, Pa.) was 3-4 with two runs and an RBI
NEXT!
With the day off tomorrow, Saint Joseph's returns to action Wednesday with games versus College of Staten Island (1:15 PM) and Coe College (3:30 PM).
#GOMONKS
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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.
