May 10, 2004
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, PA. - Kristen Haynes bounced back from a shaky first inning and Robin Flier supplied the offense as the Villanova softball team defeated Saint Joseph's, 5-2, in the second game of a Senior Day doubleheader at the Villanova Softball Field. The Hawks took game one by a score of 2-0.
Prior to the first game, the Villanova softball seniors - Flier, Ricci Lugo, Lisa Krueger, Kristen Strait and Andrea Brown - were honored for their careers on the Main Line. Their efforts included a 78-21 home record, and a 32-6 mark against Philadelphia-area opponents.
But between the lines, the afternoon did not start out the way the 'Cats planned. 'Nova was shut out for the 16th time this season, after stranding eight runners against SJU starter and winner Dana Travis. Flier had the best success against Travis, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base.
The Hawks' clean-up hitter and designated player, Alicia Cunic, blasted a solo home run off the scoreboard leading off the second inning against Shannon Williams (20-14). Saint Joseph's added an insurance run later in the inning after Lynn Ann Ravert's two-out RBI double brought home Rachel Pawlikowski, who had reached on an error.
The nightcap looked eerily similar, as the Hawks scored two first inning runs against Haynes. But this time VU responded, scoring three in the bottom of the inning. Flier led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by Lindsey Martin. Lugo then walked and Sarah Wall followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring Flier. Lugo would score on a wild pitch, and after Kari Koller grounded out, Allie Wisniewski singled home Wall for a 3-2 advantage that would not be relinquished.
Flier's bases loaded single in the single accounted for the fourth and fifth runs. She and Wisniewski each had two hits in game two.
Haynes was a different pitcher with the lead, putting aside some first inning wildness (two walks, one hit batsman) and retiring 16 of the last 18 hitters she faced, including the last 11 in a row. The junior right-hander improved to 11-10 with the win.
Saint Joseph's is now 19-27 on the year, while the Wildcats stand at 31-24. Next up is the 2004 Big East Conference Tournament, which begins on Thursday, May 13 at Syracuse University. Villanova, the No. 3 seed, will take on No. 2 Seton Hall at 5:00 p.m.
