FORT MYERS, FL – Saint Joseph's (2-0) kicked off the 2013 with a pair of convincing victories on Sunday afternoon. The Monks defeated Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) (3-4), 7-1, in the season-opener and cruised past Drew University, 7-0, in the day's closing contest.
The story of the day has to be the effort posted by game-two starter Rae-Marie Copan (Newton, Mass.), who hurled a one-hitter and was perfect through five versus Drew University. Copan, a location specialist, cruised through the Rangers' lineup with eight strikeouts while facing just one batter more than the minimum to lift her team to its second win of the year.
Copan saw her perfect-game bid dashed when Drew sophomore catcher Kate McNamara (Levittown, N.Y.) lined a single to left. Junior left fielder Theresa Hendrix (Scarborough, Maine/Cheverus) nearly came up with a highlight-reel diving catch, but the ball bounced out of her glove when she hit the ground following the impressive effort.
Game-one starter Kayla Vannah (Waldoboro, Maine) was also solid in the circle in the win over MCLA. After allowing an unearned run in the top of the first, the senior captain settled in and allowed five hits over the closing six frames to earn the victory.
Junior shortstop Lindsay Moore (Barrington, N.H.) provided plenty of offensive punch, as the third-year starter went 3-6 with three runs, a double, a triple, four RBI and two stolen bases in the two victories. Junior Connie Grovo (Limington, Maine) was also 3-6 on the day and added two runs, a double and an RBI and sophomore third baseman Kim Jordan (Bangor, Maine) added two hits in four trips with three walks and a run scored on opening day.
Freshman first baseman Melissa Mayhew (Hiram, Maine) recorded her first collegiate hit with an RBI single in the bottom of the third and Grovo was 2-3 with a run and an RBI versus MCLA.
Moore enjoyed an outstanding second game, when she went 3-3 with three runs, a double, a triple and three RBI in the seven-run triumph. Senior center fielder Danyelle Shufelt (Sutton, Vt.) was 2-3 with two runs and Hendrix went 1-2 with a run and two RBI against Drew.
With the opening-day results, the Monks improve to 2-0 versus MCLA and 2-1 in the history of the series with Drew University.
The Monks continue play with games versus North Park (5:00 PM) and Delaware Valley (7:00 PM) in Fort Myers, Florida on Monday evening.
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 350-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.
