Softball Falls In Extra Innings, 3-2, On Day Two In Myrtle Beach

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team put together an incredible effort against a Division II softball team but fell short in extra innings Monday to the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University (FPU) at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex in South Carolina.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Saint Joseph 2, Franklin Pierce 2 (8 Innings)
Records: USJ (2-1), FPU (6-0)
Location: NMB Sports Complex - Field 6 | North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Jays scored the first run of the game off a sacrifice fly from freshman Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.). Runs were tough to come by in this one, as Franklin Pierce tied the game at one in the bottom half.
• It would remain 1-1 throughout the contest as both pitchers dueled their way towards an epic finish. Senior pitcher Natalie Amato (Cheshire, Conn.) had her best stuff Monday and it showed, allowing just two hits in the first seven innings of play. Junior pitcher Madison Labrie (New Ipswich, N.H.) was impressive in her own right, also going the distance for the Ravens.
• The game moved to extra innings with the score still even at one a piece. Saint Joseph looked to score the winning run on an RBI single to center by freshman Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.). Up 2-1 into the bottom half, the Ravens went back to work in an effort to pull off the come-from-behind win. A wild pitch and double quickly tied the game again at two. With one out and runners on first and third, a single to center completed the eighth-inning comeback for Franklin Pierce.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Amato was dealt the loss despite a tremendous performance (7.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 SO). She is now 0-1 on the season.

FPU – Labrie secured the win (1-0), allowing 1 ER on four hits in eight innings of work.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"Very happy the way the team played today - we took a tough Franklin Pierce team to extra innings, and we battled all the way. You cannot ask for much more than that. It was a battle the whole way. Natalie Amato was terrific and our defense really stepped up. Our confidence is growing each game."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays get back to doubleheader action Tuesday, March 15 for day three down in Myrtle Beach. The action kicks off first at 9:30 a.m. against Keene State, followed by an 11:30 a.m. matchup with Greenville. Head over to www.usjbluejays.com to catch all the action live!

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