After falling one game short in last year’s league championship, the Fordham softball team redeemed itself in this season’s Atlantic 10 tournament, winning the conference title with a 4-0 victory over St. Joseph’s on May 14.
The game featured two aces in Fordham’s Jen Mineau and St. Joseph’s Erin Gallagher. Mineau, who was named to the league’s First Team, opened the game by striking out the side. Gallagher, herself a Second Team selection, retired the Rams in order in the bottom of the inning.
The wheels began to come off for St. Joseph’s in the second inning. Fordham’s Jamie LaBovick led off with a walk. Teammate Beckah Wiggins then put runners on first and second with a grounder that was misplayed by the Hawks’ second baseman. Gabby Luety then walked to load the bases for teammate Jessica Crowley. Crowley scorched a grounder to the Hawks shortstop, who threw home to try to save the run. The throw, however, sailed high and LaBovick and Wiggins scored, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead after two innings.
Fordham pressed the lead to 4-0 one inning later. Nicole Callahan ripped the first of her two hits up the middle for a single. Brianna Ciuffi came in to run for her. Samantha Pellechio then went the other way with a scorching line drive into the right field corner.
The St. Joseph’s right fielder put her hands up as the ball was near the tarp, hoping it would be ruled a dead ball. The ball, however, was still in play and Ciuffi came around to score from first. Pellechio chugged for home and scored when the throw from right field was offline to the plate.
Mineau shut the door the rest of the way. After the final out, the girls stormed the field to congratulate the battery—Mineau and Luety—on a fine performance.
Mineau gave up one hit, a single, struck out 10 and didn’t walk a batter. She was named the Most Outstanding Player in the championship. Beckah Wiggins and Samantha Pellechio were also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Photo courtesy of the Atlantic 10
