The Fordham women's softball team had a tough week of games, going 1-2 to slow the team's momentum after a stretch in which the Rams won six in a row. The Rams lost to the Stony Brook University Seawolves 4-2 on Wednesday, April 2, and split a doubleheader with the University of Dayton on Saturday, April 5, winning the first game 10-9 and losing the second 7-3. It was an up and down week for Fordham; they were either pitching or hitting really well, but almost never at the same time.
In the Rams' first game of the week against Stony Brook, the team was put in a hole early, from which they never recovered, ultimately losing 4-2. The Seawolves were able to jump out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second with the help of a two-run triple by shortstop Vicki Kavitsky. Fordham was able to score a run in the bottom of the third on a triple by senior third baseman Allison Twarowski and a groundout from junior center fielder Melissa Andrews. The triple was Twarowski's 219th career hit as she became the Rams' career hits leader, surpassing Krystie Henry, who collected 218 from 2003-07.
Fordham then brought it to a 4-2 game in the bottom of the sixth as Andrews led off with a walk and sophomore designated hitter Erin Fisher singled her to second. A fielder's choice from senior catcher Allison Storc moved Andrews to third and forced Fisher at second. Andrews then scored when Kavitsky could not handle the throw from her catcher as Storc stole second, but the inning ended with Storc stranded at third after a ground-out and a fly-out.
The Rams came out with one last rally in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, junior second baseman Stephanie Mott singled and Twarowski walked to put two runners on for Andrews. Unfortunately, Seawolves hurler Alyssa Struzenburg forced Andrews to ground out and end the game.
Sophomore Nicole Ayres started for the Rams and took the loss, falling to 4-8 on the season. She gave up four runs and four hits in two innings of work. Freshman Beckah Wiggins threw five innings of one-hit relief, striking out seven.
Fordham returned to action at the University of Dayton on Saturday. After the first of two games against the Flyers had been postponed, the teams decided to play a doubleheader. The first game was dominated by offense and the Rams did just a little bit better than their opponents, winning by a 10-9 score.
Fordham opened up with a 1-0 lead on a RBI single by Storc, and then in the second inning the floodgates burst open, with the Rams scoring five times to bring the score to 6-0. With the bases loaded, junior designated hitter Mary Beth Puccio had a two-run single, scoring freshman shortstop Samantha Pellechio and Twarowski, and Storc then blasted a three-run home run to left, her fifth of the season. When Pellechio had her first career home run the next inning to increase the Rams' lead to 8-0, Fordham seemed well on its way to a blowout victory. However, that would not be the case, as Dayton fought back and scored seven times in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a grand slam home run by designated hitter and pitcher Allie Falk, the first of her career.
Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Rams again had a comfortable lead after doubles from freshman right fielder and third baseman Jocelyn Dearborn and Mott advanced the lead to 10-7. Dayton threatened to tie the game, though, loading the bases with one out. An RBI single from shortstop Emily Stegeman and a sacrifice fly from Falk brought the score to 10-9, but Stegeman was thrown out on the sacrifice fly trying to advance to second, ending the game and handing Dayton a heartbreaking loss.
Twarowski (5-5) got the win in relief for Fordham, throwing 4.2 innings and allowing four runs on five hits. At the plate, Storc was 2-4 with a home run and four RBI and Pellechio was 2-4 with a home run and two RBI.
In the night cap, the Rams suffered a 7-3 defeat. It was an inglorious start early for Fordham as Dayton scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the first when Andrews dropped a fly in center, allowing both runners on base to score. Fordham was able to cut that lead in half in the top of the third when the right fielder Dearborn scored Andrews with a RBI single.
The Flyers came right back and scored three runs in the bottom of the third when they loaded the bases and received two RBI singles. The Flyers later increased their lead to 7-1 with a two-run home run from third baseman Blair Crabtree, her fourth of the season. Fordham attempted to rally in the seventh with solo home runs from both Twarowski and Puccio, but Dayton was able to hold on and split the doubleheader.
Beckah Wiggins (6-6) received the loss for Fordham, allowing five earned runs on eight hits. Twarowski went 3-4 with a home run at the plate.
Dearborn said she was frustrated after the game but confident that the Rams could get back on track.
"I think the team knows that we have to step it up against these opponents that we know we can beat," Dearborn said. "We know we have to bounce back and get back to winning. Staying positive and continuing to work hard will get us back to the top where we belong."
Dearborn also commented on Twarowski's breaking of the Fordham career hits record.
"Allie is one of the best players I have ever played with and I'm so happy for her," she said. "I don't know anyone who deserves it more than her - she's awesome."
The Rams are now 15-19 on the season, 5-3 in the Atlantic 10. Fordham will next be in action on Tuesday, April 8, as they host Farleigh Dickinson for a doubleheader, beginning at 3:30 p.m. They then have two more home doubleheaders this week, against Seton Hall on Thursday and Manhattan on Friday.
2008 Woodie Awards
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