Barons Best Blue Jays, 4-0, In Myrtle Beach Pitcher's Duel

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team wrapped up the week-long Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic with a tough loss to Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS), 4-0, at the NMB Sports Complex Friday afternoon.

The Barons did their damage with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings on two singles, a home run and an error. The Blue Jays only had two hits on the game from junior second baseman Michelle Woodruff (Southington, Conn.), and freshman second baseman Amanda Jacobs (New Britain, Conn.), and were unable to get a rally going late.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Saint Joseph 0, Franciscan 4
Records: USJ (1-10), FUS (8-3)
Location: NMB Sports Complex | N. Myrtle Beach, S.C.

KEY MOMENTS

• Sophomore pitcher Natalie Amato (Cheshire, Conn.) brought her best stuff to the field Friday for USJ, matching the focus of sophomore pitcher Sarah Keating (Wadsworth, Ohio) for FUS. Both pitchers had one-hitters going through three innings.
• Franciscan finally broke through in the fourth with some good old fashioned small ball. Senior right fielder Kathleen Thompson (Huntingtown, Md.) singled, stole second, then stole third. Another Baron single drove in the game's first run. Amato left after four innings, striking out seven.
• Franciscan had the momentum as the fifth and sixth carried on, adding one run in the fifth, and two insurance runs in the sixth to open up the lead. The Blue Jays went down in a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh to end the game.

NUMBER TO KNOW

2 – USJ had just two hits, both coming from second baseman (Woodruff, Jacobs).

NOTES

• Keating went the distance for the Barons, snagging her sixth win of the season (6-0), striking out eight and only walking one in a complete game.
• Amato took the loss (0-2) despite a strong effort, allowing just the one run on three hits in four innings, striking out seven and walking no one.

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