Jim McKinnon Gets Win No. 100 as Jays Win Two

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- Saint Joseph College softball coach Jim McKinnon earned career wins No. 99 and No. 100 Saturday as the Blue Jays swept Norwich University, 6-0 and 12-3 Saturday in a GNAC doubleheader at Saint Joseph. 

McKinnon, in his sixth season, has an overall record of 100-97. Saint Joseph started the season 0-8 in Florida, but has won 11 of 14 since to even its record at 11-11. The Blue Jays improved to 7-3 in the GNAC. 

Kristina Torres (Groton, Conn.) threw a three-hitter in the opener for her first shutout as a Blue Jay. Torres, a junior transfer from Mitchell, struck out nine and walked two. She improved her record to 5-3 and lowered her team-leading ERA to 2.20. 

The Blue Jays scored three runs each in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Susie Waters (Wrentham, Mass.) had a one-out single and went to third on a double by Melanie Bush (Bristol, Conn.). Emily Hummel (Hebron, Conn.) had an RBI-single and Ashley Gall (Stafford Springs, Conn.) followed with a two-run single. 

In the sixth, Stephanie Valerio (Wolcott, Conn.) drove home Sarah Cousens (Sterling, Conn.) on a squeeze play and the Blue Jays tacked on two unearned runs.

Saint Joseph had 12 hits in the first game and 16 more in the second, which was stopped after six innings by the mercy rule. Valerio led the way with a 4-for-5 performance with four RBI and two runs scored. Bryanna Durant (Middletown, Conn.) and April Campanella (Berlin, Conn.) each had three hits and three RBI and Waters had two hits and three RBI. 

Hummel allowed four hits, two earned runs, no walks and struck out eight for her fifth victory of the season. Norwich dropped to 3-15 overall and 3-7 in the league. 

Saint Joseph hosts Rivier Sun. April 10 in a noon doubleheader.