By Mikael DeSanto
Sports Editor
The St. Bonaventure University softball team dropped its final game of the Charlotte First Pitch Classic, taking the loss to the Canisius Golden Griffins 3-1 in extra innings.
The Bonnies (1-4) continued their hitting struggles in the game, being out hit by the Golden Griffins (3-4) 11-6. They had some troubles defensively, as four different Golden Griffins players were able to steal a base on junior catcher Morgan Phillips.
Offense came quickly for the Bonnies, who struck for their run in the bottom of the first inning. The two-hit rush began when freshman right fielder Elizabeth Enovitch smacked a one-out double into left-centerfield.
After Phillips popped out to the first baseman, sophomore first baseman Alexandra Piergustavo struck a pitch and sent it into center, allowing Enovitch to come around from second and score.
The score stood at 1-0 from a majority of the game, until the Golden Griffins broke through in the top of the sixth. Junior first baseman Moriah Harris doubled to left to start the rally, followed by a bunt single from freshman left fielders Cassie Ho, which moved Harris to third.
Sophomore shortstop Denver Keller was then able to drive the ball far enough into left field to score Harris on a sacrifice fly, tying the game.
The game stayed locked at 1-1 as the seventh inning ended, sending the game into extra innings.
But, it would not be long into extras that the Golden Griffins would take control.
With Harris starting on second, Ho was able to reach base, and get to second, on an error by the third baseman, which also allowed Harris to score and give the Golden Griffins the lead. Keller then slapped a double down the left field line, scoring Ho for an insurance run.
The Bonnies would get an opportunity to comeback, but were unable to get anything going and the Golden Griffins picked up the win.
Senior Kristin Hickling pitched five-and-a-third innings for the Bonnies, allowing one run on nine hits and one walk with one strikeout. Freshman Rylee Hehir took the loss in relief, giving up two runs on two hits with one strikeout over two-and-two thirds innings pitched.
Juniors Madi Weathers and Erika Mackie pitched four innings a piece, with Weathers surrendering one run on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts, and Mackie getting the win by shutting out the Bonnies on one hit and one walk while striking out five.
The Bonnies will next play at the USF Series-Under Armor Invite in Clearwater, Florida, from March 3-7.
desantmj13@bonaventure.edu
