East Carolina University
UC Riverside
Softball Finishes 2-0 On Sunday
February 22, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 22, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The East Carolina softball team finished the Seminole Classic in Tallahassee, Fla., with a 3-0 victory over UC Riverside on Sunday afternoon. The Pirates' bats continued to be hot, picking up eight hits. East Carolina moved to 7-5 in 2009 with the win while UC Riverside slipped to 2-8 in the loss.
Senior Brooke Swann relieved Caitlin Wainright in the circle and Swann earned her first victory of the season. With the win, Swann moved into sole possession of ninth-place on the ECU pitching wins in a career list, as she now has 34.
UC Riverside had a chance to score in the top of the first inning when Tiana Towns led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a passed ball. Marissa Alvidrez then drew another walk to put runners on first and third with only one out. A groundout to third base and flyout to center field ended the inning without any runs for the Highlanders.
For the second time in as many games, the Pirates jumped on the opponent for runs in the first inning. Charina Sumner got the offense going with a single through the right side with one out. Jessica Johnson followed with another single, putting runners on the corners. A third-straight single, this one by Angel Barrella, drove in Sumner and put ECU ahead 1-0. Barrella then stole second base, the first of her career-best two steals in the game. Kaui Tom ended the ECU scoring with another single that plated Johnson, giving the Pirates a 2-0 advantage.
The Highlanders had another opportunity to score runs in the top of the second, despite having the first two batters strike out swinging. Three straight walks loaded the bases with two outs but Swann then came in for Wainright and got Kameryn Hebenton to ground out to Sumner to end the threat.
An error by Sumner allowed the UC Riverside leadoff batter to reach in the top of the third and she moved to second on a groundout. The Highlanders' only hit of the afternoon then put runners on first and third with one out. A foulout to third base and a popout to the shortstop ended another UCR inning without a runner crossing the plate.
Cristen Aona got the East Carolina offense going in the bottom of the fourth as her double to right field started the frame. Marina Gusman-Brown followed with a single through the left side, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Two outs later, a wild pitch allowed Aona to score, making the ECU lead 3-0.
For the game, the Highlanders stranded seven runners as Swann allowed just one hit and set down 15 of the last 16 batters she faced.
Next up for East Carolina is the Pirate Classic, which will take place in Greenville from Feb. 27 - March 1. ECU opens up play in the home tournament against Towson at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27.
