PHOTO CREDIT: Jennifer Bent
LEESBURG, Fla. – Saint Joseph's College (2-8) suffered a pair of close losses on the team's final day of the 2024 spring trip in THE Spring Games softball action on Friday. The Monks opened with a 7-6 setback at the hands of Lakeland University (7-3) and capped the trip with a 7-5 loss to Rutgers-Camden University (4-6).
LAKELAND 7, SAINT JOSEPH'S 6:
The Monks held a 5-3 lead after 4 ½ innings before the Muskies jumped ahead with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth frame. St. Joe's fought back with a run in the top of the sixth when senior Lydia Goodnough (Kennebunkport, Maine) doubled home Mollie Verreault (Scarborough, Maine), but the tying run was cut down at the plate.
IN THE CIRCLE:
- Goodnough took the loss after allowing seven runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in six innings
- Lakeland starter Skyler Hall went the distance and gave up six runs (five earned) on 12 hits with three K's to earn the victory
AT THE BAT:
- Sophomore catcher Chantelle Bouchard (Biddeford, Maine) went 3-4 with a run and a double
- Goodnough was 2-3 with two runs, two doubles, and an RBI
- Freshman first baseman Kryslin Stearns (Concord, N.H.) went 2-4 with a run scored
- Sophomore shortstop Charlotte Cloutier (Lewiston, Maine) was 2-3 with a double and two RBI
- For Lakeland, Madi Johnson and Abby Heitman both went 2-3
RUTGERS-CAMDEN 7, SAINT JOSEPH'S 5:
The teams combined to score all 12 runs in the first three innings, as Rutgers-Camden jumped out to a 3-0 lead off four hits in the top of the first and St. Joe's added a run on two hits in the bottom of the inning. The Scarlet Raptors tacked on two runs in the top of the second, but the Monks countered with four runs off three hits to knot the game at 5-5. Verreault, Sadie Tirrell (Naples, Maine), and Bouchard delivered RBI's to help the Royal Blue tie the game.
Rutgers-Camden proceeded to reclaim the lead – for good as it played out – with a pair of runs on four hits and an SJC error in the top of the third. The inning could have been worse as the Scarlet Raptors had the bases loaded with one out, but Goodnough, who entered in relief in the fourth inning, worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a fly out.
Saint Joseph's was unable to generate a true scoring threat for the remainder of the game as both teams put up goose eggs in the final four innings.
IN THE CIRCLE:
- Starting pitcher Madison Pelletier (New Gloucester, Maine) took the loss after allowing seven runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts in three innings
- Goodnough tossed four shutout innings, allowing one hit with a strikeout
- For Rutgers-Camden, starter Lindsey Rodzon gave up five runs (four earned) off five hits and two walks in 1.1 innings and Anna Milillo earned the victory after scattering two hits over 5.2 scoreless frames
AT THE BAT:
- Bouchard was 2-4 with a pair of RBI
- Verreault went 2-4 with two runs scored
- For Rutgers-Camden, Luci Hutchinson went 3-4 with two runs and an RBI and Meg Gray and Gianna Bauer added two hits apiece
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's returns to Maine and will host Thomas College in a pair of non-conference games next Saturday at 12:00 PM.
