Pirate Softball Goes 4-1 In Fall Season
October 07, 2002 | Softball
"Overall, I was quite pleased with our 4-1 performance this fall," said Head Coach Tracey Kee. "We embarked on this mini-season with many question marks and unknowns. However, I believe this year's squad has given us a glimpse of its potential. The next two months of skills and strength training will be crucial in our development as a squad."
On September 28, the Pirates hit the field against Methodist College and came away with the 16-4 win. LaCassa Hill and Kate Manuse led the team with three hits each. Manuse had three RBIs and Hill had one. Six players came away with two hits each. Mandi Nichols had one home run and three RBI, and newcomer Jenna Wilson had three RBI of her own. As a team the Pirates had 16 runs on 14 hits, and committed no errors.
Brittany Boyd led the pitching staff, allowing no hits and no runs in three innings pitched. Returner Maggie Lingo also pitched three innings, allowing only one hit and no runs.
The Pirates next took on UNCW, winning 5-4. East Carolina had eight hits and no errors in the outing. Christine Sheridan led the Pirates with two hits, including a triple, and two RBIs in three at bats. Mandi Nichols went yard for the Pirates in the sixth inning, and Manuse added two hits of her own. Brently Bridgeforth pitched four innings, allowing one hit, one walk, one run, and struck out two batters in her first appearance in the pitcher's circle for ECU.
"The defense was steady, the pitching was reliable, and the offense was consistent," commented Kee. " Whenever you combine these three components, you will find yourself in a position to win."
The women wrapped up their fall schedule this past weekend in a tournament hosted by the University of North Carolina. The Pirates faced UNCW for the second time this fall in the opening game of the tournament. ECU came away with the 4-1 win. Nichols had three RBI on two hits , including a home run, in three at-bats. Freshman LaCassa Hill also had two hits in three at-bats, both singles. Boyd pitched five innings, allowing three hits and one run. She struck out one batter.
East Carolina took on Conference USA rival Charlotte in the second game of the UNC tournament, shutting out the 49ers 4-0. Manuse was the lone player to have more than one hit. She finished the day with a single and a double with one RBI. Nichols led the team with two RBIs on her single shot to left field. Bridgeforth and Boyd split the pitching duties allowing only four hits, and striking out four batters.
In the final game of the fall season, the Pirates faced UNC, dropping the game by a single run, 3-2. Kristin Johnson had two hits in four at bats, and Brandi Benedict and Krista Jessup each had one RBI. Maggie Lingo pitched the entire seven innings, allowing three runs and eight hits, and striking out three batters. The Pirates had six hits to the Tar Heels' eight.
"We've got a special group of student-athletes here," said Kee. "Their passion for the game and their willingness to compete as a unit will pay dividends in the end. I look forward to watching them develop their own team identity."
The softball team will begin regular season competition in February 2003.
