STANDISH, ME - The Saint Joseph's softball team improved to 20-10 overall and 12-6 in GNAC play by taking both ends of a doubleheader, 8-0 (five innings) and 2-1, against Emmanuel College (9-21, 6-14) on Wednesday afternoon at Ward Park. Pitchers Christy Wezowicz '10 (Granville, MA) and Madylan Kluna '12 (Standish, ME) gained the victories in the circle and improve to 6-2 and 6-5, respectively, on the season. Alyssa Dunn '11 (Standish, ME) was 2-2 with four RBI in the opener and Emily Leverone '11 (Hampton, NH) went 2-2 with a pair of doubles to go with a run and an RBI in the nightcap. The Lady Monks have now reached the 20-win mark 19 times in the history of the program.

GAME ONE

Saint Joseph's scored three times in the third and added five more in the fourth to account for the eight runs scored in the shutout effort posted by Wezowicz. With two out in the bottom of the third, Leverone reached on miscue by Saints first baseman Elyse Turgeon '12 (Dracut, MA) and Liddy van der Linden '10 (Worcester, MA) followed with a walk. Dunn plated both SJC base runners with a double and was driven home by a Jillian Kimball '10 (Albany Township, ME) single to put the home team up 3-0.

The Saints' defense played a major role in the fourth frame, and not a positive one. Four Emmanuel errors, along with four St. Joe's hits, paved the way for the Lady Monks to score five runs, three unearned, and take an 8-0 lead. Liz Jordan '09 (Sandwich, MA) led off the fourth frame with a single and advanced to third on an error by Emmanuel right fielder Chelsie Baldwin '10 (Canonsburg, PA). Alysn Ludwig '09 (Waldoboro, ME) reached on a misplayed ball and the next hitter, Anna Willis '10 (Gorham, ME), laid down a bunt single to score Jordan. Ludwig scored and Willis moved up to second on a wild pitch thrown by Saints starter Jesse Hutchins '12 (Sebago, ME) before Leverone was awarded first base after getting hit by a pitch. After van der Linden moved both runners to the next base, Dunn drove them home with a single to put her team up 7-0. Samantha Gray '12 (Yarmouth, ME) plated the eighth run with a two-bagger that sent Kimball, who reached on an error by Turgeon, scrambling home.

Wezowicz was dominant in the triumph, allowing just three hits and one walk while fanning five in five frames of work. Gray was 3-3 and Leverone scored twice for the Lady Monks.

Hutchins (3-11) took the loss for the Saints after giving up eight runs, four earned, eight hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings. Christina Proulx '12 (Boxborough, MA) worked 1/3 inning of scoreless relief.

GAME TWO

Emmanuel cleaned up its defense in the nightcap, and the result was a closely contested game. St. Joe's scored single runs in the first and third innings and the Saints scored their only run of day in their final turn at bat in the seventh.
With two out in the bottom of the first, the Lady Monks used back-to-back doubles from Leverone and van der Linden to take a 1-0 advantage. In the third, Ludwig led off with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and stole third to set the stage for Leverone, who proceeded to knock her home with another double, making the score 2-0, Royal Blue.

The Saints used the Lady Monks blueprint for scoring runs in the top of the seventh with a pair of doubles from Ariana Liakos '12 (Litchfield, NH) and Hutchins. The game-tying run was stranded on second, however, as Kluna fanned Emmanuel right fielder Deanna Mastrovito '10 (Worcester, MA) to end the game.

Kluna scattered six hits and fanned five with one earned run allowed in the complete game effort. Ludwig's theft of third base in the bottom of the third gives her seven this season and 56 in her career, one stolen base shy of the career record held by Kellie Glantz '97.

For the Saints, Chelsey Guselli '12 (Methuen, MA) went 2-3 and Hutchins (3-12) allowed five hits, two walks and two earned runs with a pair of punch outs in the losing effort.

Saint Joseph's will play at Mount Ida College on Friday in a GNAC twin bill slated to begin at 3:00 PM. Emmanuel will travel to Johnson & Wales on Saturday for a 12:00 PM doubleheader.