Softball Wins C-USA Opener In Extra Innings

March 11, 2006

HOUSTON, Texas --- Erin St. Ledger doubled down the right field line to plate the game-winning runs in the bottom of the eighth to lift East Carolina to its second consecutive extra innings victory, defeating Houston 6-5 in the Conference USA opener for both teams.

ECU defeated No. 25 North Carolina in eight innings at home Wednesday, 2-1.

St. Ledger went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a two-run double in the eighth. Paige Baggett and Jessica Johnson each collected a pair of hits.

East Carolina broke on the scoreboard first in the second inning as St. Ledger drew a bases loaded walk putting the Pirates ahead 1-0.

After falling behind, 3-1, the Pirates rallied to take a 4-3 lead scoring one run in fourth on an RBI-double from Ashley Quick and then took the lead on a two-run throwing error by the Cougars in the fifth.

Johnson started the Pirates' fifth inning rally with a two-out single and then moved into scoring position as Alison Monce reached on a wild pitch. Jessica Potter then reached on the Houston throwing error that allowed both Johnson and Monce to score.

Keli Harrell earned the victory in relief, tossing the final 3.2 innings and striking out three.

After giving up a home run to Laura Durham in the eighth, Harrell got Jessica Valis to pop into double play to end the game.

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