KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Saint Joseph's College (2-6) defeated Bluffton University (2-6), 3-2, and fell to Emerson College (5-0), 11-2, in the Sunkissed Games on Thursday.

GAME ONE – Emerson 11, Saint Joseph's 2 (6 inn.):

Saint Joseph's jumped out to a 2-1 lead after junior shortstop Meghan Elliott (Mendon, Mass.) doubled home Libby Pomerleau (Limerick, Maine) and scored on an infield error in the bottom of the first inning.

The slim margin remained until the top of the fourth, when Emerson freshman right fielder Maddie Tomich launched a two-run homer to lift her team to a 3-2 edge.

The wheels came off in the top of the fifth, when the Lions plated eight runs off eight hits to account for the 11-3 final.

IN THE CIRCLE:

Sophomore Caitlyn King (Old Town, Maine) suffered the loss after allowing three runs off seven hits with one strikeout in four innings while junior Kristal Smith (Pittston, Maine) yielded eight runs off eight hits and two walks in one inning of relief.

Neely Eddleston earned the win for the Lions after allowing two runs (one earned) off six hits and three walks with a pair of punch-outs in five innings.

OFF THE BAT:

• Elliott went 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI
• Pomerleau was 2-3 with a run and a stolen base
• Emerson center fielder Marisa DeFranco went 4-4 with two runs and a pair of RBI
• Lions left fielder Alena Jones went 3-4 with a run, a double, and two RBI

GAME TWO – Saint Joseph's 3, Bluffton University 2:

As it played out, the Monks produced all the required offense in the top of the first, when junior first baseman Melodie Bailey (Lebanon, Maine) and sophomore Maizie Lee (Saco, Maine) posted RBI singles and sophomore third baseman Kaylee Burns (Saco, Maine) rapped an RBI double to make it a 3-0 game early.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Bluffton shortstop Brittany Huff tripled down the right field line and later scored on a wild pitch. Beavers third baseman Josie McElroy, who reached on an infield single and swiped second base, sprinted home on a Caylin Morstadt single to make it a 3-2 game.

The Beavers had the tying run on second with two out, but SJC sophomore starting pitcher Kate Whitney (Jonesboro, Maine) slammed the door by fanning Bluffton first baseman Megan Hill.

IN THE CIRCLE:

Whitney picked up her second victory of the year and improves to 2-2 after allowing two runs on three hits and a pair of walks with two K's in four innings. Freshman Madeline Wood (Madison, Maine) earned her first collegiate save after tossing three scoreless innings while allowing two hits and a pair of walks.

Bluffton starter Nicole Thomas went the distance in the loss, yielding three runs off seven hits and three free passes over seven frames.

OFF THE BAT:

• Pomerleau went 3-4 with a run scored
• Burns was 2-4 with a run, a double, and an RBI

NEXT!

The Monks wrap up their southern swing tomorrow with games versus John Carroll (3:45 PM) and Ohio Northern (6:00 PM).

#GOMONKS

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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.