East Carolina University
Delaware
Lady Pirates Level Liberty After Falling To Delaware
March 03, 2006 | Softball
March 3, 2006
Greenville, N.C. - East Carolina opened play in the Hampton Inn Pirate Clash by rebounding to defeat Liberty 5-0 after dropping its first contest against Delaware 6-1.
After shutting out Delaware for the first four innings in the opening game of the tournament, the Lady Pirates surrendered six runs over the final three innings to take the loss 6-1.
Senior Brently Bridgeforth pitched the first five innings for the Pirates allowing one run off of four hits, before giving way to freshman Brooke Swann in the sixth with the game tied 1-1.
The Blue Hens wasted no time in attacking the freshman pitcher when with one out in the sixth Michelle Plant singled and freshman Kim Ovittore followed with a home run to left field to put Delaware ahead for good 3-1.
The Blue Hens added three more runs in the final frame when centerfielder Katie Lee connected for a triple to drive in a run, and a batter later came in to score on an Allison Borchers single. Ovittore then doubled to plate Borchers and cap off the scoring for Delaware.
Junior Carolynn Sloat (1-0) allowed one run off of six hits while pitching a complete game and collecting her first win of the season. The Pirates lone run came in the second inning when Alison Monce scored on a Beth Nolan sacrifice fly.
Swann (2-2) allowed five runs off six hits over the final two innings to collect just her second loss of the season.
In the second game of the day, junior Kelli Harrell (6-3) turned in a brilliant performance on the mound as she went the distance scattering five hits while striking out 13 batters in a 5-0 victory.
After pushing across only one run in the first game of the day, the Pirates, acting as visiting team, came out swinging against Liberty in the top of the first inning. After being hit by a pitch and advancing to second on a fielder's choice, sophomore Erin St. Ledger scored from second on a two out Nolan single to put the Pirates up 1-0.
That would be all that Harrell needed, as she dominated from the beginning, striking out six consecutive batters at one point on the way to her third complete game shutout of the season.
However, the offense wasn't done, and in the second inning the Pirates added to their lead when Monce led off with a single and three batters later came around to score on another two out hit, this time by Joyce Roodenburg.
Senior Krista Jessup took care of the rest of the Pirates scoring with one swing in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded and no one out, the Pirate catcher connected for a three RBI double scoring Jessica Potter, Roodenburg and Ashley Quick to put the Pirates up 5-0.
The Lady Pirates are now 11-5 on the season, and will resume play at the Hampton Inn Pirate Clash on Saturday with games against Binghamton at 11 a.m. and Fairfield at 3 p.m.
