East Carolina University
Houston
Pirates Hand Cougars Rare Conference Loss In Doubleheader Split
April 28, 2007 | Softball
April 28, 2007
Game One Boxscore in PDF Format
Game Two Boxscore in PDF Format
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Despite allowing the Houston Cougars to clinch the regular season conference title in game one 4-0, the ECU softball team rallied in the second game to post a 3-1 victory, handing the Cougars just their third conference loss of the season in a Conference USA doubleheader at the ECU Softball Field Saturday afternoon. The Pirates move to 35-17 overall and 11-8 in C-USA while Houston now stands at 36-15 on the season and 17-3 in conference play.
A pitcher's duel ensued in the first contest, as both teams were held hitless through the first three innings. The Cougars took the lead for good in the fourth inning when Jessica Valis, who had singled to begin the inning, scored on a single by Krista Raley. ECU had a chance to tie or take the lead in the very next half-inning as Charina Sumner and Jessica Johnson both singled with one out. However, Angel Shamblin struck out the next two Pirate batters to get out of the jam.
Houston put the game away in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on five hits to up its lead to 4-0. The offensive effort was helped by a leadoff double and two singles before ECU recorded an out in the inning. The Pirates would not threaten again, as the Cougars took the 4-0 win. Despite the sixth inning that saw Houston score three runs on five hits, senior Keli Harrell put in a solid effort in the circle, setting down the first nine Cougars she faced.
In game two, it was ECU who jumped on Houston early as the Pirates plated three runs in the second inning. Erin St. Ledger led off the inning with an infield single. She was then sacrificed to second on a bunt by Cristen Aona. With two outs in the inning, Joyce Roodenburg reached on an infield single which allowed St. Ledger to advance to third. Roodenburg then stole second. The next batter, Christina Merrida, reached first by avoiding a tag by the Cougar first baseman, allowing St. Ledger to score. With a 1-0 lead, the Pirates were not done. Merrida proceeded to steal second. Sumner then stepped up and laced a single into center field that scored Roodenburg and Merrida, giving ECU the 3-0 advantage.
In its last at-bat, Houston attempted to rally. Laura Durham led off the inning with a home run to right center. However, the Pirates would not be swept on their home turf as Merrida made a fantastic diving catch in deep center field and Johnson managed to snag a foul ball near the ECU dugout to end the game.
Toni Paisley continued to strengthen her case for C-USA Freshman-of-the-Year by scattering five Cougar hits, walking just one hitter and striking out an impressive 13 Houston batters. Her record now stands at a sparkling 17-4 with a just-as stellar 8-2 record in conference games. All eight of her wins in conference play have been complete game efforts. Paisley also has four complete game shutouts in C-USA action.
The Pirates and Cougars will play the final contest of the three-game conference series at the ECU Softball Field tomorrow at 12 p.m. This marks a change from the originally scheduled time of 1 p.m. The game also marks the final home contest of the season for ECU.
