Pirate Softball Opens Tournament With Two Wins
March 05, 2004 | Softball
In the opening game ECU jumped out with an early lead against Rider, scoring one run in the first inning and two in the second.
Maggie Lingo went the distance for the Pirates, giving up only five hits and keeping Rider scoreless until the fifth inning. With one out and a runner on first, Rider's Jill Carrabus started the attack with a line drive to left field. Jennifer Cullen followed with a double to left center, scoring both runs. Amanda Tu had her second hit of the day with a double to left, bringing in Cullen.
The game remained tied at three until the seventh inning. With one out Christine Sheridan got herself safe at first due to an errant play by the third baseman. She then put herself in scoring position by stealing second. Krista Jessup lined out to second base, bringing Mandi Nichols up to the plate. Nichols was 0-3 coming in, but had determination in her eyes as she slammed the game winning hit to left field, scoring Sheridan. ECU finished the game with four runs, five hits, and one error.
In game two, the Pirates went to battle with the Flames of Liberty. Once again the Pirates were the first to put a run on the scoreboard. In the top of the second, Dany'ele Hill was hit by a pitch, followed by singles from Jessica Potter and Andiey Acosta. With the bases juiced, Kristen Johnson drove one out to right field, scoring three runs. In the bottom of the fifth, Liberty answered right back plating Kristin DeJong.
Neither team scored again until a fifth inning rally. With two outs and a runner on first, Kate Manuse hit a double to the green, driving in one run. Christine Sheridan followed with a RBI single to right field. In the bottom of the fifth, Liberty made its charge again by scoring two more runs.
Andiey Acosta led the Pirate nine hit attack by going 3-3. Brently Bridgeforth improved her record to 6-3, going five innings and allowing only three runs. East Carolina improved their record to 13-5-1 on the season.
The Pirates will be in action in the Holiday Inn Express/Pirate Clash tournament tomorrow at 12 p.m. against Stony Brook and 2 p.m. against Ohio University at the ECU Softball Field.
Holiday Inn Express/Pirate Clash Scoreboard
East Carolina 4, Rider 3
East Carolina 5, Liberty 4
Rider 5, Liberty 0
JMU 6, Ohio 2
JMU 6, Stony Brook 2
Stony Brook 7, Ohio 1
