FORT MYERS, FL - Saint Joseph's College (4-4) topped Fitchburg State College, 9-3, before falling to Bowdoin College, 5-1, to earn a split for the third straight day in sunny Florida. With the help of a three-run home run from Emily Leverone '11 (Hampton, NH) in the third inning, Kiera Walsh '11 (Benton, ME) improved to 3-0 on the season with six strikeouts and two hits allowed against Fitchburg. Outfielder Liz Jordan '09 (Sandwich, MA) notched four hits in the pair of games.

GAME ONE

The Falcons scored all three of their runs, two of the unearned variety, off Walsh in the first inning and held on to the lead until the Lady Monks plated six runs off six hits and a pair of FSC errors in the bottom of the third.

The Fitchburg offensive attack was aided by an SJC error in the three-run first. Third baseman Ashley McKinnon '12 (Raynahm, MA) started off the game for the visitors with a double and later scored on a error by St. Joe's first baseman Alyssa Dunn '11 (Standish, ME). A pair of groundouts to short followed, and both Karen Skoczylas '11 (Palmer, MA), who reached with a single, and Leigh Trzcinski '10 (Worcester, MA), after reaching on the Dunn miscue, scored unearned runs, giving the Falcons a 3-0 lead.

After unsuccessful trips to the plate in the first and second innings, the SJC offense came to life in the third frame to provide Walsh with more support than she would need. Ellen Neff '11 (Chester, VT) and Alysn Ludwig '09 (Waldoboro, ME) led off the inning with back to back singles and both players moved up a base on an error by FSC second baseman Amanda Quin '12 (Townsend, MA). Anna Willis '10 (Gorham, ME) plated Neff with a base knock and later scored, along with Ludwig, when a ball hit by Jillian Kimball '10 (Albany Township, ME) was misplayed by Fitchburg pitcher Bethany Stone '11 (Wells, ME). With two out, Dunn worked a base on balls to bring up Leverone, who blasted her first career home run and lifted the Lady Monks to a 6-0 advantage with the three-run blast. Five of the SJC runs were unearned.

St. Joe's went on to add a pair of runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to close out the game's scoring. After Willis grounded out to first base, Jordan singled and scored on a two-out single by Liddy van der Linden '10 (Worcester, MA). Next up for the Lady Monks was Dunn, who belted a double to send home the junior shortstop, giving the victors an 8-3 lead. Ludwig scored the final run of the game for St. Joe's on a misplayed ball, off the bat of pinch hitter Natasha Howard '11 (Farmington, ME), by FSC center fielder Alicia Rocco '09 (Tewksbury, MA).

Walsh was on cruise control after the first inning. The only runner to get on base after the opening frame was Rocco, who reached on an error by right fielder Caitlin Schrum '12 (Littleton, NH) in the sixth inning. Neff was 2-3 with a run and Ludwig scored a pair of runs for the Lady Monks in the win.

GAME TWO

The only offense Saint Joseph's could muster off Bowdoin pitchers Kara Nilan '11 (Pittsfield, MA) and Julia Jacobs '10 (Ridgewood, NJ) came in the first inning. Willis singled with one out and scored on a van der Linden double to give the Royal Blue an early 1-0 advantage. The Lady Monks had the bases loaded on four occasions, including both the 6th and 7th innings, but were unable to come up with the big hit and stranded 13 runners in the loss. Meanwhile, the Polar Bears plated all but three of their base runners en route to victory.

For St. Joe's, Kimball and Leverone both went 2-4 and starter Madylan Kluna '12 (Standish, ME) fell to 0-4 on the season. The rookie hurler allowed 10 hits and five earned runs while fanning three batters in six innings.

For Bowdoin, Shavonne Lord '10 (Shrewsbury, MA) was 3-3, Clare Ronan '10 (Jenkintown, PA) went 2-3 with two home runs and three RBI's and Amy Hackett '12 (Bangor, ME) was 2-3 with a run scored. Nilan earned the victory in the circle, scattering six hits while posting seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work.