ECU Softball Defeats Southern Miss At C-USA Tournament
May 14, 2004 | Softball
LOUISVILLE, KY -- East Carolina exploded with six runs in the first inning and held its lead to retire No. 1 seed Southern Miss in game five of the C-USA Tournament on Friday 6-0. With their second loss, the Golden Eagles (32-24) have been eliminated while the Pirates (47-23-1) will face No. 4 DePaul at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 15.
Kate Manuse knocked in the first run of the day with an RBI single through the left side, scoring Christine Sheridan. Kristen Johnson followed with a single of her own to left field and plated Leigh Savoy. USM's Danielle Wymer forced the Pirates' third run after walking Lara Brickhouse, sending Johnson home. Shirley Burleson recorded two RBI with a single up the middle and the final run of the first inning was marked when Andiey Acosta scored on a Southern Miss fielding error.
Keli Harrell (16-7) pitched the complete-game win, posting six strikeouts and walking none. Sheridan led the offensive charge for the Pirates, batting 2-for-4 and notching a stolen base. USM's Diane Hammes and Sue Logan went 2-for-3, while Hammes also picked up a double.
Due to inclement weather in the Louisville, Ky. area, the 2004 Conference USA Softball Tournament has been postponed until Saturday.
Game seven featuring No. 3 seed USF and fifth-seeded Houston was halted on Friday evening in the bottom of the third inning and will resume Saturday at 9 a.m. at Ulmer Stadium. The Cougars are leading the Bulls, 5-0, with two outs in the bottom of the third.
No. 6 East Carolina and fourth-seeded DePaul will face off in game eight at 11 a.m. on Saturday, while game nine will follow at 2:05 p.m. Game nine will pit the loser of game seven against the winner of game eight and will be televised.
The championship game will be played on Sunday at a time to be determined. All times are Eastern and are subject to change due to the weather.
Pirate fans can follow all the conference action at www.conferenceusa.com.
