April 24, 2005

Moraga, CA- The Saint Mary's softball team erupted for 10 runs in game two on Sunday afternoon to earn a split in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference four-game series against rival Santa Clara. The Gaels dropped the first game by the score of 9-5 and then came back to win game two 10-6. After the day, SMC moves to 9-41 overall and 2-14 in PCSC action.

The Gaels used a six run seventh inning to pull away from the Broncos. With the game knotted at three, sophomore third baseman Michelle Mathis started the scoring with a single to leftfield that scored Lauren Mello. Junior Shelly Taketa followed with a single to right-centerfield that scored Marcia-Marie Euker. Freshman Shannon Pooler then drove in Mathis with a sacrifice fly to centerfield. After Taketa scored on a pass ball, junior Eleni Papailias came through with a two-run single to right field that scored Staci Hamaguchi and Bronwyn Russell.

Russell led all Gaels in the game at the plate. The newcomer batted 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Taketa added a 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2-run performance.

Saint Mary's hurler Kelly Harrison (2-6) earned the victory by allowing 11 hits and five earned runs in six innings. She also struck out three and walked two. Kate Albaugh came in and walked one in one inning of relief.

In game one, the Gaels' comeback effort was thwarted by a Bronco five-run sixth inning. SCU broke open a 4-4 tie to run away with a 9-5 victory.

Saint Mary's trailed 4-0 entering the sixth inning but rallied for four of their own to tie the score. Mathis doubled home Claudia Williams and Papailias. Taketa then drove in Mello on an error by the second baseman. Junior shortstop Justine Larsen knotted the score with an RBI single to leftfield that scored Mathis.

The Gaels tacked on one more run in the seventh. Mello (1-for-3) recorded her first hit by nailing a line drive in the right-centerfield gap that scored Papailias from first base.

The Gaels were led at the plate by Papailias, who batted 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Mathis chipped in with a 1-for-4 2 RBI performance.

Santa Clara hurler Liz Courter (12-14) earned the victory with a complete game. Courter allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out three. Saint Mary's Lauren Gardner (1-14) tallied the loss, allowing 14 hits and nine runs in 5.2 innings of work. Sophomore Kate Albaugh came in for 0.1 innings of hitless relief.

Saint Mary's will return to action on Tuesday, April 26 to play No. 7-ranked Stanford. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium.