04/18/07

Twice St. Scholastica (9-12) was able to put their leadoff hitter on base in the first few innings of their Border Battle with UW-Superior (12-12) on Wednesday afternoon at Kenwood Field in Duluth, and both times would produce runs that would help lead to a 5-3 defeat of the Yellowjackets.

Brenna Zavodnik led the first inning off with a bunt single and came around to score St. Scholastica's first run on a double to left field by Rilee Dawson. Dawson and Erica Kozacek would also score in the three-run inning to give the Saints a quick lead.

Gina Garramone walked to lead off the third inning and later scored what would prove to be the game-winning run on a bases loaded walk to Kayla Kahilainen that made it 4-0 in favor of the Saints.

Dawson got the starting nod for the Saints and while her team was being opportunistic at the plate, she was equally frugal on the mound allowing only a pair of hits through the first four innings.

The 'Jackets finally got on the board in the fifth behind back-to-back doubles and a wild pitch, but the Saints would score one more in the bottom half of the inning for insurance.

Kozacek only had one hit in the game but got on base all three of her at-bats -- including a respectful intentional walk in the first inning -- and scored twice.

Dawson (6-6) picked up the win for St. Scholastica pitching four innings of four-hit ball, surrendering two earned and two unearned runs while walking none and striking out five. Amy Jansen came on in relief of Dawson for the final three innings and picked up the save.