Lady Bears Championship Hopes Spoiled by Judson

AKRON, OH – The St. Joseph's College softball team was eliminated from the 2011 USCAA National Softball Championships falling 2-0 to #7 Judson College in a rain halted affair that was resumed on Saturday morning.

It is the third times the two schools have met, all at USCAA Nationals, with Judson prevailing in each meeting.

All game's scoring came in the top third inning. Sarah Kendrick hit a RBI single to centerfield that scored Heather Howell, capping a string of three straight singles for Judson. St. Joseph's nearly escaped the inning with minimal damage, but a rare miscue by Caitlyn Kakavas (Bayside, NY/St. Agnes), who went errorless all season to lead the USCAA in fielding percentage, allowed another run to score with two outs.

The Lady Bears threatened in the fourth placing runners at second and third with no outs, but was unable to bring any runners home. St. Joseph's stranded six runners for the game, three in scoring position.

The game was halted due to lightning after the conclusion of the sixth inning on Friday evening with Judson leading 2-0. When play resumed on Saturday morning, the Lady Bears held the Eagles scoreless in the top of frame, but couldn't get anything going in the bottom half, retired in order, ending their hopes for St. Joseph's first national championship.

Alyson Chiaramonte (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) suffered the loss in the circle, falling to 16-3 on the season, allowing five hits while striking out four and only one of the two runs earned. She was also the leading hitter at the plate, going 3-for-3.

Meliah Matthew surrendered five hits and struck out eight earning the complete game victory for Judson.

St. Joseph's (25-9) will conclude their 2011 season playing in the 7th place game against #8 Penn College game on Sunday, May 8th at 11:30 am.