02/25/06

It seemed ironic that the winning run would come on something other than a hit as both teams had numerous chances to score but failed to get clutch hits.  The Saints stranded 13 runners, including twice failing to score with bases loaded and one out, while the Gusties left eight runners on.  Both pitchers combined to strike out 22 batters and gave up 11 hits.

Senior right fielder Kristi Erickson took a 0-1 pitch in the shoulder to force home Erica Bond. Bond led of the inning with a pinch hit single then advanced to third on a couple of sacrifice bunts.  Jody Yurczyk and Laura Heise were intentionally walked to get to Erickson.

Heise (1-0) shut out the Gusties spreading out six hits while striking out 14.

Game two was nothing like game one as both teams combined for 21 runs off 27 hits.  The Saints twice came from behind and went on to blow the game open to earn a 14-7 win.

Senior catcher Kelly Cordie led the Saints 20 hit onslaught going 3 for 3 with 5 RBI’s, two coming off a towering shot to left center to give the Saints the lead for good in the fifth.  Bond put the game away with a pinch hit three-run homerun in the five run sixth inning.  Junior Joann Juten added four hits including a solo homerun to lead off the second.

Freshman pitcher Amy Jansen was roughed up in her college debut giving up a two-run homerun in the first and then a two run double in the second.  She settled down for a scoreless third.  Junior Rilee Dawson relieved Jansen in the fourth and had her own struggles. She loaded the bases with two walks and a bunt single.  Then, after striking out the next two batters, Dawson yielded a base clearing double.  She settled down to finish the game allowing just one hit while striking out five on her way to her first win of the season.