East Carolina University
Marshall
Herd Sweeps Pirates In C-USA Doubleheader
March 24, 2007 | Softball
March 24, 2007
ECU (2) vs. NCSU (12) Box Score (PDF) L ECU (9) vs. Marshall (8) Box Score (PDF)
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - After sweeping UCF to open Conference USA play two weeks ago, the East Carolina softball team resumed conference play against the Marshall Thundering Herd, dropping a doubleheader 5-4 in game one before falling 3-2 in nine innings. The Pirates held leads in both games but Marshall rallied late in each contest to pick up the wins.
In the first game of the day, a two-run home run by Samantha Rodriguez in the bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the game-winning hit off of ECU starter Keli Harrell (13-5). East Carolina (24-10, 3-2 C-USA) led for the middle five innings of the game. Harrell pitched six innings, allowing 10 hits on five earned runs. She struck out two Herd batters and walked three.
The Pirates tied the game 1-1 in the second inning when Erin St. Ledger hit her first home run of the season to right field. ECU would take a 3-1 lead in the third inning when Charina Sumner and Jessica Johnson hit back-to-back home runs. The back-to-back shots marked the second time this season the Pirates have accomplished this feat. After Marshall made the score 3-2, ECU added a run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Beth Nolan, scoring Kaui Tom.
A single to right center field by Gina Guzzo with two outs in the ninth inning with the go-ahead run at third base gave the Herd their second win of the day in nine innings. The Pirates put up two runs on two throwing errors that occurred on the same play. Cristen Aona hit the ball to Herd pitcher Amanda Luers who threw wildly to first base, scoring Joyce Roodenburg. After the ball was retrieved by Guzzo at first base, she then committed a throwing error of her own which plated Nolan.
The Herd would score two runs of their own in the sixth inning. Samantha Rodriguez singled home the first run and a sacrifice bunt by Guzzo provided the second run of the inning.
Toni Paisley (9-3) pitched 8.2 innings, her longest outing of the season, and received the loss, giving up 10 hits and three earned runs. Paisley's last outing saw her throw a no-hitter against UNCG.
ECU will wrap up the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m.
