East Carolina University
Kent State
Harrell Tosses Nine-Inning No-Hitter
March 26, 2006 | Softball
March 26, 2006
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- ECU junior Keli Harrell tossed her second career no-hitter Sunday, holding Kent State hitless for nine innings as the Pirates prevailed 1-0.
Riding the momentum of her team's earlier victory in the day over Cal, Harrell pitched one of her best games of the year. She tied her season-high for strikeouts with 13 and didn't issue a walk, facing just two batters over the minimum.
Harrell retired the first nine batters she faced in succession before Kent State (10-12) put its first runner on base due to an ECU fielding error.
That small hiccup by the Pirate defense didn't faze her at all as she struck out the side to end the fourth.
Harrell (12-10) then proceeded to sit down the next eight batters she faced in order before Jamie Fitzpatrick reached on a dropped third strike. Harrell then got Whitney Lebowitz to softly ground out to end the seventh.
Matching Harrell inning-for-inning was KSU starter Brittany Robinson (9-6). Robinson held the Pirates' to just four hits through the first seven innings and didn't allow a runner past second base.
With Robinson on second to start the ninth, Corey Houk sacrificed her over to third to put the go-ahead run at third base with one out. Robinson then attempted to score on a ground ball hit to Erin St. Ledger at second base, but St. Ledger threw her out to preserve the scoreless tie. Jessica Toocheck then fouled out to end the Golden Flash half of the ninth.
After St. Ledger sacrificed freshman Vanessa Moreno over to third base, Jessup delivered the game-winning run with a base hit to left field.
