Press Release

SOFTBALL RECORDS TWO ONE-RUN WINS AT GENE CUSIC CLASSIC   Roberge leads SMC past Wilmington, 1-0; SMC hangs on versus Post in nightcap, 6-5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               FOR MORE INFORMATION March 14, 2005                                                                                  Contact: Seth Cole                                                                                                          Phone: (802) 654-2537 CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Saint Michael's College used clutch pitching and timely offense to record a pair of softball victories and improve to 3-1 on Monday at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. In the first game, the Purple Knights blanked Wilmington College of Delaware, 1-0, and in the second contest, Saint Michael's edged Post University of Connecticut, 6-5. In the opener, sophomore Meggan Roberge (Sheldon Springs, Vt./Missisquoi Valley Union) pitched a complete-game shutout as the Purple Knights countered Sunday's 7-5 loss to Wilmington. Roberge, who opened the season with a no-hitter on Sunday, allowed just three hits versus the Wildcats and notched 10 strikeouts. The Purple Knights' lone run came in the third inning, as junior Erin Poyant (Rochester, Mass./Old Rochester Regional), who singled, came around to score on a single by classmate Meagan Newland (East Burke, Vt./Lyndon Institute). Newland singled twice in the opener, as did sophomore Casey Brooks (Colchester, Vt./Colchester). In the nightcap, Saint Michael's escaped a based-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the seventh to hang on for the win versus Post. Sophomore Meg Currier (Greenfield, Mass./Stoneleigh-Burnham School) paced the offense with a home run, single and two runs batted in, while senior Noelle Gill (Deep River, Conn./Mercy) went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. The Purple Knights led, 3-0, after three innings, behind junior starting pitcher Raina Jensen (Portland, Maine/Deering). Roberge came on to pitch in the fourth inning, and Saint Michael's scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a seemingly-comfortable 6-0 lead. However, Post countered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth inning to pull within 6-5. In the last of the seventh, the Eagles loaded the bases with one out, but Newland, playing shortstop, forced a runner at the plate for the second out, and a flyout to senior leftfielder Whitney Christmas (Brattleboro, Vt./Brattleboro Union) clinched the win. Saint Michael's plays two more games on Tuesday in Fort Myers, as the Purple Knights take on the University of North Dakota at 4 p.m., and have a rematch with Post at 8 p.m. ###PURPLEKNIGHTS###

For more information please contact the SMC Sports Information Office at (802) 654-2537
Last Revised: October 25, 2002