Softball Spilts Doubleheader With USF
April 02, 2005 | Softball
In game one USF took the lead in the third inning but the Pirates rallied with two runs in the sixth to win. Carmela Liwag led off the third with a double to the gap in right center. With runners at the corners Sarah Watson hit a single through the left side, scoring Liwag from third to make the score 1-0 in the Bulls favor.
East Carolina took the lead in the top of the sixth, 2-1, scoring two runs off a bases loaded single by Kate Manuse. Bree Spence had a one hitter going into the sixth, but gave up two hits and two runs that ended the Bulls lead.
USF had an opportunity to answer back in the bottom of the sixth to either tie the game or take the lead, but left its two base runners stranded to end the inning after Keli Harrell came in the game to end the inning and pick up the save. Brently Bridgeforth (13-1) picked up the win, scattering five hits over five innings.
In game two East Carolina jumped out to the early with a two-run home run by Mandi Nichols off Kasey Cash, putting the Pirates up 2-0.
The Bulls (26-16, 5-3 C-USA) cut into the Pirates lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the third. With runners at second and third and one out, Liwag hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring the runner from third.
The Pirates (42-11, 8-3 C-USA) added another run to their lead after a two-out double by Beth Nolan plated Nichols from first, putting East Carolina up 3-1.
In the bottom of the seventh back-to-back singles by Watson and Christie Chapman put runners at first and second and a two-out triple by Samantha Ray tied the game, 3-3, to send it into extra innings.
After Liwag hit a single to right field to leadoff the eleventh inning, Watson hit the game-winning RBI double, ending the game 4-3 in the Bulls favor.
Spence, who came in the game in the eighth, picked up her 12th win of the year, pitching four scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and no walks. Harrell (20-9) picked up the loss, going all 11 innings, striking out 15 and allowing four runs off of 10 hits.
The three-game series closes out Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the USF Softball Field.
