Softball Wins Hoo's Who Championship
March 20, 2005 | Softball
In the championship game against Toledo, ECU pounded out 14 hits led by junior catcher Krista Jessup, who collected three hits. Freshmen Erin St. Ledger and Beth Nolan each collected two hits and drove in a pair of runs. Senior Mandi Nichols also accumulated two hits.
After being shut out in the first inning, ECU scored multiple runs in each of the next five innings. The Pirates scored seven runs over the next three innings before allowing the Rockets to get on the scoreboard.
Junior Brently Bridgeforth (11-1) earned the victory, working six innings. Sophomore Keli Harrell, who won her 18th game of the year against Bowling Green in the semifinals, registered her fourth save of the season fanning one batter in one inning pitched.
Harrell's performance on the mound against Bowling Green propelled the Pirates into the title game. Harrell (18-6) tossed her 19th complete game and sixth shutout of the season, striking out 11 batters, while surrendering three hits.
Jessup led the offensive attack by collecting three hits and driving in a trio of runs. Jessup's RBI-single broke up a scoreless game in the fifth, which she followed with a two-run single in the seventh to secure the victory. Nichols and senior Leigh Savoy each went 2-for-4 at the plate.
The Pirates return to action Wednesday afternoon with a doubleheader at UNC Wilmington.
