Purple Wins Game Two, 6-1, of World Series
November 07, 2014 | Softball
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina softball was off to an early start with game two of the Purple-Gold World Series as the Pirates hit the diamond at 5 a.m. Thursday morning. Purple collected a 6-1 victory over Gold to take a 2-0 advantage in the series.
"The 5 a.m. start was a huge success," Head coach Beth Keylon-Randolph said. "The spirit of the team was outstanding as they hustled and played the game to a very high standard. The competition continued at the very highest level."
Freshman right-hander Ashley Cruise got the start for Purple as she tossed four innings of work, while allowing one earned run on seven hits with three strikeouts to earn the win. She was relieved by senior righty Caroline Umphlett who recorded two strikeouts and surrendered three hits in three innings pitched.
Redshirt senior catcher Abby Wynne batted .500 (2-for-4) with a double, a run scored and an RBI for Purple, while redshirt senior second baseman Andie Johnson and freshman third baseman Karlie Smith added doubles of their own to hit .500 and .250, respectively. Smith scored two runs and swiped a pair of stolen bases in Purple's 6-1 victory.
Senior right-handed pitcher Sarah Christian suffered the loss for Gold after giving up four earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in four innings pitched. Sophomore right-hander Lydia Ritchie came on in relief and turned in another strong performance as she fanned three and allowed one unearned run in three innings of work.
Sophomore rightfielder Kacie Oshiro led Gold at the plate as she batted .750 (3-for-4) with a triple and an RBI. Junior catcher Kelsi Briggs scored the only run for Gold after reaching on a double. She finished the contest with a .667 batting average after going 2-for-3 with a walk.
The Pirates will continue the Purple-Gold World Series Monday, November 10, at ECU Softball Stadium. First pitch is yet to be determined.
