STANDISH, Maine – The Norwich University softball team dropped a pair of games at Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Friday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.

Saint Joe's (12-4, 4-2 GNAC) took the opener 1-0 and then followed up with a 7-1 win in the nightcap to sweep the series from the Cadets.

Despite a gem of a pitching performance from junior Taylor Morris (Haverhill, N.H.) in the opener, Norwich couldn't muster any offense as the Cadets spoiled a solid outing from the righty hurler.

Morris threw a complete-game five-hitter and gave up one unearned run that proved to be the difference after striking out two and walking two. Victoria Ramos scored on a passed ball in the top of the third to score the game's only run for the Monks.

Laura Jordan took care of the rest, picking up the win after going six innings, scattering six hits, walking two and striking out three. Theresa Hendrix picked up the save coming on in the seventh inning.

Junior outfielder Justina George (Wallingford, Conn.) led the Cadets with two hits in Game 1.

In the nightcap, Saint Joseph's (Maine)'s Jennifer Murphy did most of the damage for the Monks, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs to lead the Monks to the victory.

The Monks pulled away in the final two innings, scoring five runs to turn a 2-1 lead into a 7-1 final score for Saint Joe's Maine. Murphy was the catalyst with a two-run double in the top of the sixth.

Norwich (3-11, 1-5 GNAC) scored its lone run on a sacrifice fly to left field by Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.) that scored Sarah Perry (Adams, Mass.) from third in the bottom of the fourth inning. Morris led the Norwich offense with two hits in Game 2.

Senior pitcher Corinne Baita (Rochester, N.H.) took the loss for the Cadets in the second game going the distance, giving up six earned runs on eight hits with five walks and five strikeouts.

Norwich will look to get back on track when it hosts Emmanuel in its home opener on Wednesday, April 8 at 3 p.m.

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