SAINTS’ HISTORIC 20-WIN SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE IN GNAC SEMIFINALS

EAST BOSTON, Mass. – The third-seeded Saint Joseph's College (Maine) softball team scored six times in the eighth inning, including a three-run home run from senior third baseman Kim Jordan (Bangor, Maine), to post a 6-0 victory over sixth-seeded Emmanuel College this afternoon in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals at American Legion Playground in East Boston, Mass. The Monks improve to 27-12 on the season and advance to the final day of competition of the tournament, facing fifth-seeded Johnson & Wales University tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. The Saints' tournament run comes to an end as they fall to 20-17.

The teams played scoreless ball through seven innings, until Saint Joseph's took advantage of an Emmanuel miscue in the top of the eighth to score six runs.

Senior Theresa Hendrix (Scarborough, Maine) dumped a single into right field to lead off the frame, before advancing to second on a sacrifice and to third on a stolen base. Sophomore Jennifer Murphy (Andover, Mass.) finally broke through with a single up the middle to plate the first run of the contest. Junior left fielder Megen Pollini (Wolfeboro, N.H.) worked a one-out walk and sophomore center fielder Carla Tripp (Lovell, Maine) reached, when the Saints' first baseman couldn't handle the throw on a sacrifice bunt, to load the bases. Freshman Kelsy Gaddy (Limington, Maine) drew a walk to force in the second run of the day and keep the bases full. Senior right fielder Victoria Ramos (North Scituate, R.I.) knocked in another run with a ground out to give the Monks a 3-0 lead. Kim Jordan delivered the big blow of the inning when she drove a three-one pitch over the left fielder's head and raced around the bases for an inside-the-park three-run homer and a 6-0 cushion.

Emmanuel, which did not have a runner advance past second base the entire game, was set down in order in the eighth as Saint Joseph's secured the victory.

senior starting pitcher Laura Jordan (Orrington, Maine) scattered six hits and did not issue a walk, while striking out two in six and a third innings of work for the Monks, before Hendrix tossed one and two-thirds innings of hitless relief to earn the victory and improve to 6-1. Sophomore hurler Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) (13-7) took the loss for the Saints, allowing three runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks, while fanning nine in seven and a third innings.

Kim Jordan, Hendrix and Murphy all had two hits to pace the Saint Joseph's offense, while six players collected singles for Emmanuel, including Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.), Abbey Alexiades (Kingston, Mass.), Erin Walsh (Granby, Conn.), Brooke Ames (Boylston, Mass.), Samantha Adams (Sanford, Maine) and Marianne Halas (Lynn, Mass.).

*Release Courtesy of Simmons College Sports Information