March 27, 2009

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The La Salle softball team suffered an 8-0 loss in five innings at Fordham on Friday afternoon behind a five-run first inning by the Rams. The loss drops the Explorers to 3-12 overall, 2-3 in the Atlantic 10, while Fordham improves to 19-12 overall and 1-2 in league play.

The Rams hit early and hard for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Melissa Andrews belted a lead-off triple and scored on a passed ball to open scoring. Two more runs scored on a Mary Beth Puccio single up the middle, who also later scored on a fly ball to the outfield.

The Explorers held them through the second and third innings, but the added three between the fourth and fifth innings to win by the run rule.

Gina Massaro reached base to lead off the fourth inning with a single to right field. She advanced to second on a fielder's choice, but Ram pitcher Jen Mineau got out of the inning.

Erica Vile led off the fifth with a single up the middle, but Mineau struck out two and forced a line-drive out to end the inning.

Massaro earned the loss on the mound. She pitched the first inning, gave up five runs - four earned - on four hits. DJ Guinn pitched three innings in relief and gave up three runs, none of which were earned, on three hits while striking out four. Mineau went the distance for the Rams in keeping the Explorers to just two hits while striking out nine.

The Explorers and Rams face off again on Saturday at noon in the second game of the series.