Monks Battle Back To Steal Two From Saints

BOSTON, Mass. - The Saint Joseph's College Softball Team came from behind in both games to defeat host Emmanuel College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) double-header played on Clemente Field this Saturday afternoon. The Saints held early leads in both contests, before the visiting Monks charged back to take 7-2 and 6-4 wins, continuing their undefeated conference run. The losses dropped Emmanuel to 5-6 overall and 1-3 in the league, while Saint Joe's improved to 11-5 on the season and 6-0 in GNAC play.

In the opening game, Emmanuel jumped out to a 1-0lead in the bottom of the second inning, as the Monks committed 3 errors in the frame. Saint Joseph's then quickly fought back, recording four hits in the top of the third. Anna Willis (Gorham, Me.) and Danyelle Shufelt (Sutton, Vt.) led off with back-to-back singles. Liddy van der Linden (Worcester, Mass.) posted the third hit of the inning, before Maria Labbe (Lewiston, Me.) ripped a double and the Monks held a 4-1 advantage.

The Saints were held scoreless in the bottom of the third and the Monks were able to tack on two more runs in the fourth. Consecutive singles from Willis and Shufelt kicked things off again for St. Joe's. Emily Leverone (Hampton, N.H.) then hit a double, which drove in Willis and van der Linden smacked a double that drove in Shufelt and the Monks led 6-1. 

A scoreless fourth inning led to one run in the fifth for the Saints. A single by Chelsey Guselli (Methuen, Mass.) drove in Sarah Palmer-Thompson (Dennis, Mass.), who had reached on an error. Palmer-Thompson's run capped the scoring for the Saints, who trailed 6-2 heading into the sixth.

Katelyn Call (Portland, Me) reached on a fielder's choice in the top of the sixth and was then driven in by Leverone, who recorded 3 RBI in the opener for the Monks. The Saints went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth and then again in the seventh and the Monks held on for the 7-2 win. Sophomore pitcher Madylan Kluna (Standish, Me) went the distance for the Monks. Kluna gave up just four hits and struck out nine batters. Sophomore Kathryn Copp (Fremont, N.H.) picked up the loss for the Saints, throwing five innings, with relief from classmate Jesse Hutchins (Sebago, Me.).

T he Saints took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first to open the nightcap. Senior center-fielder Samantha Luther (Carlisle, Mass.) doubled to lead things off Emmanuel. Palmer-Thompson walked and Guselli singled to load the bases. Senior short-stop Danielle Andruskiwec (Orange, Conn.) hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Luther and sophomore catcher Elyse Turgeon (Dracut, Mass.) did the same, scoring Palmer-Thompson. Sophomore right-fielder Christina Proulx (Boxborough, Mass.) singled to drive in Guselli and Emmanuel took a 3-run lead.

The Monks posted a 3-hit, 2-run second inning and trailed 3-2 after three innings played. The Saints tacked on their fourth run in the bottom of the fourth, when Erin McSheffrey (Woburn, Mass.) singled and stole second. Hutchins recorded a base-hit to move McSheffrey to third and the senior left-fielder scored on a passed ball.

McSheffrey's run capped the scoring for the Saints, who led 4-2 heading into the fifth. Shufelt and Leverone each singled and would eventually score, before junior first-baseman Alyssa Dunn (Standish, Me.) ripped a double and then scored the go-ahead run for the Monks.

Guselli singled again in the fifth, but the Saints were held scoreless for the remainder of the day. Labbe singled for the Monks in the sixth and added an insurance run, as the visitors came away with the 6-4 victory.

Christy Wezowicz (Granville, Mass.) pitched four and a third innings for the Monks, giving up 7 hits. Kiera Walsh (Benton, Me.) closed out the game without giving up a hit. Freshman hurler Kelly Lloid (Issaquah, Wash.) threw the first five innings for the Saints and was relieved by Copp in the sixth.

The Saints will play next on Tuesday in a single non-conference game with Lesley University. Emmanuel will host the Lynx under the lights at 7pm on Roberto Clemente Field.

*Article and photos courtesy of Emmanuel College Athletic Communications. 

*Photos courtesy St. Joseph's College (ME) Athletic Communications