Softball Completes Sweep Of Charlotte
May 01, 2005 | Softball
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Sophomore Keli Harrell tossed a complete game, one-hit shutout to lead East Carolina to a 2-0 win over Charlotte on Sunday completing a three-game Conference USA sweep of the 49ers.
With the victory, East Carolina improved to 54-15 overall and 16-5 in C-USA, while Charlotte ended its season with an overall mark of 17-39-1 and 4-20 in C-USA.
Harrell (28-11) retired the first nine batters she faced before issuing her lone walk of the afternoon. She surrendered her lone hit of the game to Emily Forbes in the fifth before retiring the final eight batters in order.
Harrell yielded just eight hits in 18.1 innings pitched during the weekend, while earning the victory in all three games as the Pirates closed out their home schedule by winning their final 10 conference games at home, including a trio of series sweeps. Harrell allowed just two runs; one earned, and struck out 14 hitters during the series.
The game marked the final home appearance for seniors Shirley Burleson, Kate Manuse, Mandi Nichols and Leigh Savoy.
The Pirates scored each of their runs courtesy of a pair of Charlotte errors. ECU plated its initial run in the first. Savoy's two-out RBI-single plated freshman Paige Baggett from second. Savoy earned a first inning at-bat after a Charlotte fielding error extended the frame.
ECU added a second run in the fourth when Charlotte pitcher Kristen Bowen bobbled a batted ball back her and allowed St. Ledger to score from third with two outs. St. Ledger led off the inning by lacing a single into left field and advanced to second when the ball got by the left fielder before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt.
East Carolina will close out the regular season with a three-game series at Southern Miss beginning next weekend.
