Softball Concludes Gene Cusic Classic With Losses to Smith and Worcester State

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) dropped both ends of a doubleheader, falling 5-0 against Smith College and 12-0 versus Worcester State in five innings, concluding their season-opening Florida trip on Sunday afternoon at the Lee County Complex.

In the opener, St. Joseph's (1-5) and Smith (2-0) played two scoreless innings before the Pioneers put up a three spot to take a 3-0 lead they would not relinquish. They tacked on a run in the fifth and sixth for insurance.

The Lady Bears struggled offensively recording only two hits against Smith starter Tori Brown who threw a complete game two-hit shutout striking out 12 for the win. Brown threw three perfect innings before sophomore Cassandra Molinari (Brooklyn, NY/St. Edmund Prep), who collected both hits for St. Joseph's singled to right center in the fourth.

Senior Mabel Vargas (Ridgewood, NY/Mary Louis) took the loss for St. Joseph's going five strong allowing four earned runs on six hits.

In game two against Worcester State (1-1), the Lady Bears bats were stymied by Lancers starter Hannah Everson who went the distance allowing only two hits while fanning 11. Worcester State scored three in the first and would not look back scoring five runs in the third and four in the fourth to take a commanding lead with the game being called after five because of the run rule.

Vargas also started the second game in the circle going 3 innings surrendering eight earned runs on 11 hits taking her second loss of the day.

Molinari ended the day going 2-for-5 to lead St. Joseph's. Vargas and Danielle Marino (Maspeth, NY/Mary Louis) each went 1-for-2 in game two with their hits both coming in the fourth inning to end Everson's perfect game.  

TURNING POINT VS. SMITH

After two perfect innings thrown by each pitcher, Smith struck first with three straight singles to open up the third inning before getting two RBI groundouts and a RBI double to build a 3-0 lead. The Pioneers tacked on two more runs for good measure giving Brown all the support she needed as she shut down the Lady Bears with only one runner reaching second base the entire game with that coming in the seventh inning.

TURNING POINT VS. WORCESTER STATE

After the Lady Bears were retired in order in the top half of the first, the Lancers sent seven players to the plate recording three runs as Worcester State built an early 3-0 lead on an RBI single and back-to-back RBI doubles including one by Everson.

After putting up a five spot in the third, St. Joseph's threatened in the top half of the fourth with runners on first and second with one out but Everson escaped trouble getting a popup and a strikeout to end the inning.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORES

• The Lady Bears four combined hits in the doubleheader are the fewest St. Joseph's has had in a twinbill since April 17, 2012 against Old Westbury.
• Jackie Perillo went two innings in game one allowing three hits and no earned runs in relief of Vargas.
• Molinari had her first multi-hit game in the opener since April 15, 2012 when she went 4-for-4 against John Jay.
• St. Joseph's has not been shutout in both ends of a non-exhibition doubleheader since April 20, 2011 against Farmingdale State.

NEXT UP FOR THE LADY BEARS

The Lady Bears come back to New York and open up their 2013 home slate with a doubleheader against Mount Saint Vincent on Friday, March 22nd with first pitch set for 4:00 p.m.