May 7, 2005

Box Score

Riverdale, N.Y. - The Marist softball team (22-21, 8-6 MAAC) split a pair of games at conference rival Manhattan today, losing a 1-0 11-inning heartbreaker before taking the nightcap by a 5-0 score. Freshman Megan Rigos struck out 14 batters in two complete games, including a two-hit shutout in Game 2. Sophomore left fielder Christine Jakobsen and junior shortstop Katie Eskin each hit home runs for the Red Foxes.

Rigos tossed six perfect innings to start Game 1, which would turn into a three-plus hour marathon. The two teams combined to leave 15 runners on base in 11 innings.

Manhattan had several opportunities to win the game, stranding the winning run on third base in the eighth and 10th innings before MAAC Player of the Week Jennifer McCracken singled home shortstop Liz Strein with the game-winning run with one out in the bottom of the 11th.

Rigos allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out 11 in 10 1/3 innings. Jillian Medea earned the win with a four-hit shutout with four walks and 12 strikeouts.

In the second game, Marist would score the only run it needed in the first inning. Junior 3B Chrystine McHugh led off with a double and came home to score on an RBI sacrifice fly by junior DP Bridget Hurlman. Freshman 1B Annie Castellano came up with an RBI single in the fourth for an insurance run.

Three runs in the sixth would clinch the win for the Red Foxes. Jakobsen led off the inning with her second home run of the year while Eskin followed a Hurlman double with a blast down the left field line off Medea for her third home run of the season.

Rigos (18-14, 2.31 ERA) was brilliant in Game 2, shutting the Jaspers down on two hits, walking none and fanning four.

The win kept alive Marist's chances for qualifying for the MAAC Tournament next weekend in Stratford, Conn. The Red Foxes will conclude the regular season tomorrow with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at St. Peter's and must win at least one game to remain in contention.