East Carolina University
Memphis
Big Innings Propel Softball To Sweep
April 26, 2008 | Softball
April 26, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The East Carolina softball team pounded out 21 runs, 21 hits and induced 11 errors as it swept a doubleheader from Memphis Saturday afternoon at the Tiger Softball Complex. The Pirates, who broke a four-game skid, improve to 32-25 on the season and 8-11 in conference play while the Tigers drop to 24-26 overall and 4-15 in C-USA. Junior Brooke Swann picked up both wins in the circle, improving her record to 20-18 as she needs just one more victory to move her into a tie for 10th-place on the ECU single season ledger.
Memphis got started quickly in game one, as it scored two runs on two hits to take a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the first. Kailey Kassner accounted for both runs as she took a two-out pitch over the left center field wall for her sixth home run of the season.
The Tigers added to their lead in the bottom of the third as Lindsay Kelso belted her squad's second long ball of the game, a two-run shot to center that gave Memphis a 4-0 advantage. The Pirates responded in the top of the fourth. With one out and Vanessa Moreno on first via a single, Erin St. Ledger stepped to the dish and laced a single up the middle that would score Moreno, cutting the East Carolina deficit to 4-1.
In the top of the fifth, Christina Merrida led off the inning and reached on an error by the first baseman. Then, Barrella drew a walk before with one out, Jessica Johnson also walked, loading the bases. Another costly error by the Tigers on the next play allowed Barrella and Merrida to score while Moreno reached first on a fielder's choice and Johnson was thrown out at second, leaving Memphis with a 4-3 lead. Then, two consecutive singles by Stacey Andrews and Cristen Aona would plate Moreno to tie the game before the Tigers' third error of the half-inning permitted Andrews to trot home to give the Pirates a 5-4 advantage.
ECU would close out the scoring and secure the win in the top of the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits to make the final score 9-4. Andrews delivered the huge blow, a three-run shot down the left field line that gave her a team-leading total of eight. Swann threw her 24th complete game of the season, scattering six hits while striking out four. Andrews and Aona picked up multi-hit games while Andrews turned in an additional multi-RBI effort.
Memphis came out blazing in game two, taking a 5-0 lead after two innings on the strength of two home runs by Tori Gross and Maddie McKinley as well as an RBI-single by Leila Dolfo. Barrella would make the score 5-1 in the top of the third with an RBI-single, setting the stage for a wild finish to the game.
The Pirates started the offensive onslaught, scoring five runs on five hits and two Tiger errors to take a 6-5 lead. Andrews smashed her second home run of the day and ninth of the season in the half-inning, a two-run shot to left field. Yet another Memphis error helped East Carolina to a 7-5 advantage in the top of the fifth. However, the Tigers plated three runs in the bottom half of the inning, using a Leigh Rowan two-run home run and a throwing error by Moreno behind the plate to assume an 8-7 lead.
The Pirates answered right back, scoring five more runs on three hits and a Memphis error, making the score 12-8 in favor of the road team. A two-run bottom of the sixth allowed the Tigers to pull within 12-10 as they left the bases loaded to end the inning. After ECU was held scoreless in the top of the seventh, Memphis mounted one last charge, receiving a leadoff single and a subsequent double that made the score 12-11. However, Swann induced a lazy foul ball and two groundouts to shut down the final rally.
Swann was credited with the win, pitching the last two and two-thirds innings while allowing three earned runs on six hits and striking out one. Sumner, Aona and Paige Baggett combined to go 7-for-11 in the contest with five runs scored and four RBI.
The Pirates look to sweep their first C-USA series of the season as they meet the Tigers at 1 p.m. tomorrow inside the Tiger Softball Complex.
