Kurowski, Burkhart Lead Seniors to Win

Wheeling, WV, Apr. 24, 2010---Courtney Kurowski laced a walk-off bases-clearing triple to right field to cap a thrilling Senior Day comeback and lift Wheeling Jesuit to a doubleheader split against Seton Hill Saturday afternoon.  Seton Hill won the first game, 5-3, before the Cardinals rallied to capture game two, 5-4, in the seniors’ final home outing.

The Griffins took early command of game two, scoring one run in the first inning and adding two more in the third on a two-run home run by Louanne Wiegand.

The Cardinals answered in the bottom half of the third, with Ashley McSweeney leading off the frame with a home run.

After seeing the Griffins, extend the lead to 4-1 with a run in the fifth, the Cardinals mounted a challenge in the bottom half of the fifth, when McSweeney dropped a lead-off  double down the left field line, followed by a walk to Sam Macioce.  But Seton Hill pitcher Caitlyn Kamalich ended the threat, retiring the next three Cardinal hitters.

WJU drew within two by plating a run in the sixth.  With two outs, Olivia Wamsley reached on an infield single, and Angela Petros followed by dropping a base hit into center field that turned into an RBI double when the Griffins’ center fielder attempted a shoestring catch, but instead saw the ball bounce and roll behind her.

Cardinal starting pitcher Ashley Nichols set down Seton Hill in the seventh, setting the stage for the thrilling comeback.

Kamalich retired Macioce to start the seventh, then yielded a single to Shaynna Johnson.  Aleecia Sunagel followed with a walk, and Jordan Burkhart singled to center field to load the bases.  Kurowski then stepped to the LaRosa Field plate for the final time of her career, and lined a 1-2 pitch hard into right field that rolled to the fence and brought home the game-ending runs.

Nichols recorded the complete game victory, allowing seven hits, while walking one and striking out five.

In the first game, Seton Hill’s Brandi Piccolino hit a three-run first-inning home run to give the Griffins an early lead.

Trailing 4-0, the Cardinals scored their first runs of the day in the fourth.  Johnson singled to lead off the frame, and advanced to third on a one-out double by Burkhart.  Kurowski’s single drove both Johnson and Burkhart home to cut the lead in half.

Kayla Badini homered to lead off the Seton Hill sixth, extending the Griffin lead to three.

The Cardinals attempted a last-inning comeback, with Carello grounding a single up the middle to start the inning.  Wamsley then drove a pitch to deep center field that Griffin center fielder Kelsey Criner caught right in front of the fence.  Petros followed with a single, and McSweeney followed that with a single to score Carello.  But the rally ended there, as Louanne Wiegand retired the next two Cardinal batters to end the game.

With the split, Wheeling Jesuit moved to 11-30 overall, 9-17 in the WVIAC.  Seton Hill is now 19-24 overall, 13-11 in the conference.

The Cardinals are slated to conclude the regular season Sunday afternoon at West Liberty.