Aug. 5, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - With expectations running high after a highly successful 2004 campaign, the Saint Joseph's softball team struggled to a 2-9 record to start the season. It was freshman pitcher Lauren Cognigni's perfect game, just the second in program history, versus Lafayette at the Bash at the Beach at the end of March that sparked the Hawks to a successful turnaround. The Levittown, Pa. native retired 15 straight Leopards in the Hawks 9-0 win.

Senior centerfielder Megan Richardson became the first Hawk player to earn conference distinction on April 4. Richardson went six-of-seven from the plate, helping the Hawks to a series sweep of Saint Peter's. The leadoff hitter accounted for three of SJU's seven runs, adding a stolen base.

Following a 12 game stretch in which Saint Joseph's posted a 6-8 record, Saint Joseph's began to hit their stride. Despite having an 0-4 Atlantic 10 record, the Hawks began their climb up the standings in their attempt for their fifth A-10 Championships appearance.

At Rhode Island, Saint Joseph's earned important 2-0 and 8-4 victories to improve to 2-4 in conference play.

At 2004 A-10 champion Temple, sophomore Lauren Hughes was stellar on the mound for the Hawks, leading SJU to a 2-1 win over city-rival Temple. The second-year hurler was stellar over the opening four innings, keeping the Owls hitless, while striking out five. Freshman Carly Kinkler picked the perfect time for her first collegiate homerun as the Brewster, NY native's solo shot proved to be the decisive run as Saint Joseph's split the series with Temple.

Hughes' performance against Temple earned her Pitcher of the Week honors from the A-10 in her lone appearance for the Week of April 24.

Now in the mix for a postseason berth with a 3-5 record, Saint Joseph's traveled to Dayton, needing at least a split to keep their playoff hopes alive. Hughes again helped the Hawks to a split as she won a 1-0 pitchers dual, striking out four.

Needing a sweep of the final four conference games, Saint Joseph's was on the ropes versus George Washington. Despite winning the opener 10-2, the Hawks trailed 7-0 after the opening half inning. Trailing by seven, the Hawks refused to give in as they cut the deficit to three, 7-4, in the bottom of the second. Saint Joseph's continued to chip away at Colonials, cutting their lead to 7-6 in the fourth before completing the comeback in the bottom of the fifth as the Hawks took an 8-7 lead. The Colonials would come back to tie the game at 11 in the top of the seventh, but senior Alicia Cunic's flyball to right-center slipped out of the George Washington outfielder's glove, scoring the winning run from second.

Entering the final A-10 series of the season, the Hawks knew a sweep would secure a postseason date for Saint Joseph's. The Hawks came out determined and earned a 2-1 and 7-1 win over the Bonnies to receive the program's 10th postseason appearance in program history.

Cunic's performance in the four games versus the Colonials and Bonnies helped her earn the final A-10 Player of the Week honor for the season as the catcher went nine-for-14 with 11 RBIs and two home runs. Versus the Colonials, she collected RBI including the game-winning RBI in the nightcap as she helped the Hawks to 10-2 and 12-11 victories. Against St. Bonaventure, Cunic went three-for-six in must-win games to secure a postseason berth. She added three RBI, including a homerun in the nightcap as the Hawks won 2-1 and 7-1.

Even though the Hawks fell short of their goal of an A-10 title, several players earned individual honors. Junior Jill Clementi, the team leader in runs and RBIs, was named to the A-10 All-Conference Team, while Hughes earned her second straight A-10 All-Championship Team selection after seven scoreless innings of work versus St. Bonaventure.

Richardson and classmate Cara Deldeo were recognized for their outstanding abilities on the field and in the classroom as both were selected to the A-10 All-Academic Team. Deldeo would go on to be selected to the Academic All-District II First Team and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Softball Second Team.