April 3, 2010
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - Mary Pat Conville went 3-for-6 with one RBI to lead the Explorers on Saturday as the Blue & Gold fell to Rhode Island, 5-0 and 9-2, in Atlantic 10 play.
Erica Vile went 2-for-5 and Gina Massaro also registered two hits in the Explorers' effort. Jackie Kampmeier led the visiting Rams with a 4-for-8 effort and five different Rams hit the long ball.
Rhode Island took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the first game. The Explorers threatened in the bottom of the inning as Conville registered her first hit of the day, a single up the middle. Angelina Bisbiglia followed up with a single down the left field line and they advanced to second and third on a passed ball before Rams' pitcher Amanda Sbei forced a groundout to end the inning and strand the first two of 10 stranded baserunners for the Explorers.
The Explorers once again got on base en masse in the third inning as they loaded the bases before a groundout ended the inning without a score. Erica Vile singled, while Bisbiglia and Tristan Musho drew walks.
The Rams added four more runs in the sixth behind back-to-back home runs by Melissa Wilson and Erika Szymanski for the final 5-0 score.
Massaro hurled a strong game, striking out seven in five innings and issuing no walks. Her seven strikeouts was her best performance since an 11 KO outing against Green Bay on March 13th. Sbei went three innings for the Rams, giving up no runs on three hits, and walking four. Alison Hartzell finished out the last four innings, giving up no runs on two hits, two walks and striking out seven.
The Rams took a quick 3-0 lead in the second game before the Explorers closed the gap to 3-2 with runs in the second and the fifth. Vile led off the second inning with a single down the right field line and Heather Brabazon added a single one out later. Laura Gallagher then reached base when a ball she hit toward Sbei at second base was misfielded, allowing Vile to score.
The second Explorer score came in the fifth. Massaro led off the inning with a bunt single and advanced to second on an Ali Shepherd sac bunt. Conville then singled up the middle and Massaro motored home to bring the score to 3-2.
The Rams answered back in the next frame, posting six runs on three homers including a three-run shot by Sbei for the final 9-2 score.
DJ Guinn started the Explorers, working four innings and giving up three runs on five hits and striking out four while walking none. Kristen Paoletti and Laura Beth McCreesh split the remainder of the game in relief.
The Explorers step out of conference play for a midweek doubleheader against Delaware State on Wednesday (4/7) at 3:00 PM.
