March 30, 2006

Box Score |  Photo Gallery

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College softball team defeated Quinnipiac, 9-1, 7-1, in a home-opening doubleheader at Raymond Field. With the two victories, the Friars, who have won 15 of their last 17 games, including 10 of their last 11, improved to 18-5 overall. Quinnipiac fell to 5-24.

In the first game, PC junior pitcher Sara Surosky (Elmira, N.Y.) improved to 12-5 as she threw a one hitter over six innings while striking out two batters to lead the Friars to a 9-1 win. The Friars took a 2-0 first inning as freshman Mary Sheehy (Woodbridge, Conn.) and junior Kate Ross (Middleboro, Mass.) each were hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Bobcats bounced back with one run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by junior Jenna Henry to make the score, 2-1.

PC then responded with two runs in the fourth inning and added five more in the sixth inning to complete the scoring. Three Friars finished with multiple hits, including junior Rachel Bartholomew (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) who had three hits. Seniors Elena Romero (Chula Vista, Calif.) and Tara Sullivan (Tualatin, Ore.) each had two hits and two RBIs. Sullivan's two-run double capped off PC's five-run sixth inning, while Romero increased her career-high hit streak to 11 games.

The second game featured more strong pitching as freshman Jennifer Maccio (Huntington Station, N.Y.) threw a complete game and allowed one run on six hits and struckout five batters to lead the Friars to a 7-1 triumph. With the win, Maccio improved to 4-0 on the season.

Quinnipiac took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when senior Maria Browne scored on a wild pitch. PC trailed 1-0 after three innings, but scored five runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-1 lead. Romero highlighted the inning with a three-run home run as she increased her hit streak to 12 games. Romero also homered in the fifth inning (her fifth of the season) to give the Friars a 6-1 lead. PC also added another run in the sixth inning to complete the scoring.

In the two games, Romero, this week's BIG EAST Player of the Week, led PC with three runs, four hits, two home runs and six RBIs. Sullivan (three doubles) and Bartholomew also finished with four hits.

The Friars are back in action on Saturday, April 1 with a BIG EAST doubleheader at DePaul.