Streaking Lady Bears Move Back Above .500 Sweeping Valley Forge in PA

Streaking Lady Bears Move Back Above .500 Sweeping Valley Forge in PA

PHEONIXVILLE, Pa - The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) softball team (13-11) ran their winning streak to five and moved back above .500 on Saturday, sweeping The University of Valley Forge (3-13) 10-2 and 13-1 in Phoenixville, Pa.

The Lady Bears slugged 23 hits and rode dominant pitching performances from freshman Theresa Armano (Middle Village, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) and sophomore Jamilynn McGowan (Staten Island, N.Y./Michael J. Petrides) to sweep the Patriots for the second time this season.

Game one remained scoreless after two innings. But St. Joseph's offense drew first blood with three runs in the top of the third thanks to RBI singles from junior Erica Eddy (Glendale, N.Y./Christ the King), freshman Maria Gentile (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fontbonne Hall) and sophomore Samantha Simon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney).

As Armano continued to silence Valley Forge's offense, the Lady Bears tacked on five additional insurance runs in the top of the fourth to secure a commanding 8-0 lead. The outburst was highlighted by a two-RBI double off the bat of Gentile. The freshman finished 2-for-3 with a game-high three RBI.

Armano allowed one earned run in four innings to secure her third consecutive victory in the circle and improve to 7-5 on the season. Senior Jackie Perillo (Howard Beach, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) tossed one inning in relief to shut the door on UVF.

The Lady Bears kept the momentum going in game two, plating a pair of runs in the first inning capped by Samantha Rossi's (Bayside, N.Y./Mary Louis) run-scoring double. The sophomore led St. Joseph's with 4 RBI on the day.

Valley Forge manufactured a run in the bottom half of the first to cut their early deficit in half, but St. Joseph's erupted for seven runs in the second inning to seize control. Sophomore Kristin Ferrigno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) and Perillo contributed a majority of the damage with a pair of 2-RBI doubles.

Leading 9-1 in the top of the fifth, Perillo laced her second RBI double of the game to kick-start a four-run rally, further extending the Lady Bears' advantage.

McGowan tossed a scoreless fifth to put the finishing touches on her fifth victory of the season. The sophomore surrendered just three hits and one earned run in a five-inning complete-game.

Facing a quick turnaround, the streaking Lady Bears will return to Padavan-Preller Field tomorrow for a doubleheader with Lehman College. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. with live stats at SJCBears.com.