March 22, 2008

Honolulu, Hawaii

Megan Galloway continued to baffle the host Rainbows lineup and Kat Delpit knocked the game winning home run at the Bank of Hawaii Invitational, where the Gaels finished up with a 4-2 victory over #17 ranked Hawaii. Galloway posted her second win of the weekend from the circle against Hawaii after replacing Gael's starter Maryanne Cronin in the third inning. For the second outing of the weekend, Galloway was lights out the rest of the way, surrendering only two hits and two walks while mixing in a pair of strikeouts.

Hawaii jumped out to an early lead as their starting pitcher Kate Robinson launched a two-run home run in the home half of the first inning. The Gaels would not get disparaged, however, and held the fearsome normally `Bows lineup scoreless for the remainder of the game. This allowed the Saint Mary's offense to work its way back into the ball game, and leadoff hitter Bronwyn Russell provided the spark at the top of the lineup. The senior infielder acted as the table setter for the attack, posting three base hits as well as half of the Gaels total runs. Molly Bergeson and Jenna Smith each plated Russell in the third and sixth innings respectively to push the score even at 2-2 heading into extras.

Galloway and Hawaii reliever Jessica Morton traded zeros in the eight frame and pushed the ball game into the ninth still deadlocked at two runs apiece. With two outs and a runner on, Kat Delpit drove the ball over the center field fence for a two run shot that would prove the game winner. In the home half of the ninth, the Rainbow's placed runner at second base was doubled off on a foul ball to squelch the threat. Then the final out was recorded by Delpit to seal the second victory this season for the Gaels over a ranked opponent. The Gael's record improves to 12-13 while the Hawaii club drops to 23-10 on the season.