Softball Blanks Coastal Carolina

March 24, 2006

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Keli Harrell tossed a complete game, three-hit shutout to give East Carolina a 4-0 victory over Coastal Carolina in its first game of the 2006 Pirate Invitational here Friday.

Harrell (11-9) struck out the first six batters she faced and retired the first seven hitters in order before issuing two consecutive walks. She then retired the next two batters she faced and carried her no-hit bid into the sixth inning.

A slow grounder to ECU first baseman Jessica Johnson secured the first out of the sixth inning and left Harrell just five outs away from her second career no-hitter, but Sara Hostetler reached on an infield hit deep in the hole between to shortstop and third base to end her quest.

Harrell struck out nine batters while tossing her 21st career shutout.

The Pirates (20-13) provided their junior hurler with all the run support she needed in the first inning, scoring a single run. Sophomore Erin St. Ledger moved over to third base on a wild pitch after delivering a one-out double. Freshman Jessica Johnson then singled through the right side to plate St. Ledger.

ECU tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning, scoring its initial run of the frame in similar fashion to plating its first run of the game. Senior Krista Jessup led off the fourth with a double and moved up on a wild pitch. Junior Jessica Potter then singled down the left field to drive in Jessup.

Potter scored the second run of the inning on a single by senior Alison Monce after the Chanticleers (17-15) extended the inning committing a throwing error.

Potter lead the ECU hitting attack, collecting two of the Pirates' six hits.

Christine Doyle (6-6) suffered the loss, lasting just 3.2 innings.

ECU scored its final run of the game one inning later as Jessup drove in St. Ledger with a sacrifice fly.

Next Event

Footer