May 11, 2012

Box Score

ST. LOUIS - The top-seeded Massachusetts Minutewomen advanced to the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship after defeating second-seeded Fordham, 2-0, in a pitcher's duel at the Billiken Sports Center on the campus of Saint Louis University.

With the loss, Fordham falls to 32-25 and will play the winner of George Washington/Saint Joseph's this evening at 6:00 PM CT.

After a scoreless first inning, Massachusetts mounted its first scoring threat in the second inning after a Sara Plourde lead-off single and two Fordham errors loaded the bases with just one out for the Minutewomen. Fordham's Jen Mineau then proceeded to strike out Teea Rogers before forcing Christine Della Vecchia to ground out to end the inning.

Neither Fordham nor Massachusetts was able to generate anything offensively for much of the game as Mineau and Plourde kept both teams scoreless for the first five innings.

The Minutewomen would have two runners on again in the sixth inning after a Kyllie Magill single and Katie Bettencourt walk brought Tiffany Meeks to the plate. Meeks then delivered a base hit that scored both Magill and Bettencourt to give Massachusetts a 2-0 lead.

Those two runs would ultimately be all that Massachusetts would need, as Plourde closed out the win for Massachusetts in the seventh inning.

Picking up the win for Massachusetts was the Atlantic 10 Player and Pitcher of the Year, Sara Plourde. Plourde (35-9) threw a complete game shutout in which she allowed only two hits while striking out four. She also went 1-for-3 at the plate.

Taking the loss for Fordham was Jen Mineau (25-14). Mineau also went the distance in the game and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out five.

Play continues at the A-10 Softball Championship later today, as No. 4 George Washington faces No. 6 Saint Joseph's in an A-10 elimination game at 3:30PM. Live audio and video will be provided during the Championship to fans, free of charge, through the Atlantic 10 website - www.atlantic10.com.