Softball Splits Doubleheader With Saint Louis
March 09, 2005 | Softball
Greenville, N.C. --- After dropping a 4-2 decision to Saint Louis in game one of a twin bill, East Carolina posted a 7-5 victory over the Billikens in game two to earn a split of a Conference USA doubleheader here Wednesday.
With the victory in game two, East Carolina claimed the series, 2-1, after posting a 7-0 victory in the series opener on Tuesday. The Pirates improved to 24-5 overall and 2-1 in league play, while Saint Louis dropped to 4-8 overall and 1-2 against conference competition.
The Pirates fell behind 5-2 in game two, but erupted for five runs in the fifth to rally for the victory. Junior Krista Jessup homered with one to start the rally with no outs in the fifth. Two batters later, freshman Paige Baggett doubled to drive in the tying-run and then advanced to third on a single by senior Mandi Nichols. One out later, freshman Erin St. Ledger singled to center field to drive in the game-winning runs.
St. Ledger collected two hits in game two and drove in three runs, while junior Ashley Quick went 3-for-3 at the plate and scored a pair of runs.
Sophomore Keli Harrell (12-4) then retired the side in order in the sixth and struck it out in the seventh to preserve the win and earn her 12th victory of the season. Harrell tossed her 12th complete game of the season and surrendered just four hits, while striking out 12.
Lorena Floccari (2-4) took the loss for SLU, giving up four runs on seven hits in five innings pitched.
In game one of the doubleheader, SLU chased starting pitcher Brently Bridgeforth (7-1) from the game in the third inning after scoring four runs off the junior. Bridgeforth allowed four earned runs in 2.1 innings and suffered her first loss of the season after opening the year with seven consecutive victories.
SLU pitchers Ashley Levan (2-3) and Floccari limited the Pirates to five hits in game one as Levan earned her second victory of the season, striking out five in 4.1 innings. Floccari earned her first save of the season, holding ECU hitless over the final 2.2 innings.
East Carolina returns to action Friday at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C. The Pirates are scheduled to face Akron and Charleston Southern on the tournament's opening day.
