East Carolina University
Akron
Softball Shut Out By Akron, 1-0
February 25, 2006 | Softball
Feb. 25, 2006
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. --- East Carolina junior Keli Harrell yielded just two hits and struck out 13 batters, but her Akron counterpart Megan MacKenzie was equally as affective as the she struck out nine and surrendered only three hits and shut out ECU, 1-0, in a classic pitchers' duel at Patriot's Point Saturday morning in the CofC Cougar Classic.
The loss dropped the Pirates' overall record to 9-3, while the Zips improved to 3-2.
Akron scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sara Ziles laced a two-out double down the left field line to plate Amy Pedro, who led off the inning with a single, from second base. Those were the only hits Harrell allowed the entire game.
ECU nearly tied the game in the top half of the seventh, but Brently Bridgeforth was thrown out at home trying to score the tying run. Bridgeforth pinch ran for Vanessa Moreno who led off the inning with a double.
Harrell (4-3) struck out 11 of the first 13 batters she faced, including nine consecutive between the first and fourth innings and didn't give up a hit until the sixth inning.
MacKenzie (2-2) retired the Pirates in order three times and never allowed more than one hit in any inning and only allowed one runner to reach second base prior to the seventh inning.
Moreno, Erin St. Ledger and Alison Monce collected the Pirates' three hits.
ECU continues play at the CofC Cougar Classic tonight against Dayton at 6 o'clock.
