June 27, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - With a lineup of mostly underclassmen, the Saint Joseph's softball team entered the 2006 season with expectations running high for its sixth straight Atlantic 10 Tournament appearance. Unfortunately for the Hawks, injuries sidetracked those hopes, but the Crimson and Gray still endured a memorable season.

Sparking Saint Joseph's to nine of its 13 wins on the season was sophomore pitcher Lauren Cognigni. In only her second season on Hawk Hill, Cognigni etched her name amongst the program's elite with a record-setting season. The Levittown, Pa. native set a single-season record in strikeouts (186), and finished amongst the top-three in starts (28) and innings pitched (184.1).

Offensively, several freshman paces the Hawks at the plate. Rookies Kelsey Moir, Erika Rosenwinkel, and Dani Gonzales finished in the top-three in batting average in just their first seasons of Division-I action. The speedy outfielder Moir led SJU in average (.318), runs scored (24), doubles (10) and stolen bases (10). Seeing action in 51 of 52 games, Rosenwinkel established herself as the Hawks backstop of the future, finishing second in RBIs (19) and home runs (four). Starting the first 34 games of the season, Gonzales first-year campaign came to an abrupt end due to injury. Despite missing the final 18 games of the season, Gonzales finished amongst the team leaders in hits, RBIs, average and walks.

In only her second season, sophomore outfielder Carly Kinkler flashed signs of great things to come this season. The Brewster, NY native finished second in the A-10 and first on the team in triples (five), batting a career-best .261 to go along with 16 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Sophomore transfer Kate Falasca made an immediate impact for Saint Joseph's, earning a starting spot in right field and finishing third on the team in hits (36) and second in stolen bases (five).

Playing her final season on Hawk Hill, senior Lynn Ravert gave the middle of the Hawks order a boost of power, smacking three home runs on the season and adding a career-best 14 RBIs.

Juniors Rachel Pawlikowski and Christa Lane Hooper both earned starting roles this season. Pawlikowski, who missed 19 games due to injury, was stellar at third base for the Hawks, while Lane Hooper earned 42 appearances in the outfield and as a designated player. Classmate Lauren Hughes split time between the mound and shortstop. A two-year leatterwinner as a pitcher, Hughes shifted to short to help fill gaps in the injury-depleted SJU lineup.

Freshman second baseman Sarah Falk had a solid rookie campaign, leading the Hawks with five home runs and 24 RBIs. Classmates Susan Lebow, Rebeka Shumock, and Giulia Rosanova and sophomore Holly Fagan each saw action in over 22 games apiece

With a year of experience under their belt and a core of letterwinners returning in 2007, the Hawks are poised to return to elite status next season.