MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's softball team celebrated Senior Day on Sunday with a doubleheader against Dayton. The Hawks dropped a heartbreaker in game one 7-6 before a 13-5 setback in the second contest.
 
After the second game, the team honored Sarah Cancila, Sierra Fretz, Hailey Malito and Kayla Tauber for their work with the program that has seen the group win 90 games in four seasons.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Hailey Malito had four hits in the opener and reached base five times during the twinbill with three runs scored and two RBI.
• Riley York had three hits and six RBI in the two games, including a grand slam in the second contest.
• Jenna Currie had three hits.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE

• After Dayton scored an unearned run in the top of the first, the Hawks struck for three in the bottom of the frame. Kayla Tauber reached on an error and stole second. Two batters later, Hailey Malito singled on a ball the ricocheted of the third base bag, bringing in Tauber. Following a strikeout, a single by Meghan Sinkus and a double from Riley York plated two more runs, giving SJU a 3-1 lead.
• The Flyers chipped their way back into the contest with single runs in the third and fourth, knotting the game at 3-3.
• In the bottom of the fourth, St. Joe's got one of the runs back as Jenna Currie singled and Hailey Peterson walked. Kasi Loser grounded a ball through the middle, scoring pinch-runner Jayda Shehadi for a 4-3 Hawks' edge.
• Saint Joseph's added to the advantage in the fifth. Sarah Cancila singled to lead off the inning. Malito came up next and tripled into right center, plating Cancila. After Sierra Fretz was hit by a pitch and a popout, York dropped a perfect bunt down the third base line, bringing home Malito to make it 6-3.
• Dayton would not be denied in the opener, however, scoring four runs in the sixth to claim the win.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO

• It was a rough start for the Hawks as the Flyers posted four runs in the top of the first.
• Undeterred, SJU loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and a single. Fretz came up and rifled a single off the glove of a diving third baseman, plating the first run of the game and keeping the bases loaded.
• Two batter later, York delivered her second big hit of the afternoon, drilling a grand slam over the leftfield wall, putting St. Joe's up 5-4.
• After holding Dayton off the board the next couple of innings, the Flyers posted six in the fourth and pulled away.

 
UP NEXT
The Hawks are off until May 3 when they travel to St. Bonaventure for a weekend series to close the regular season. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for noon.