East Carolina University
Radford
East Carolina Drops Two At Radford
March 16, 2016 | Softball
Radford 9, East Carolina 4 
| Radford 6, East Carolina 1
RADFORD, Va. - The East Carolina softball team fell to Radford in both ends of a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday by scores of 9-4 and 6-1 at the Radford Softball Stadium.
The Pirates dropped to 17-13 overall while Radford improved to 14-6.
Senior outfielder Nicole Cheek tallied five hits in seven at bats over the two contests, including three in the first game. Junior first baseman and junior catcher Alex Mycek notched two hits apiece in the opener while sophomore third baseman Karlie Smith recorded two base knocks in the nightcap.
ECU out-hit Radford 16-14 in the doubleheader but the Highlanders took advantage of three Pirate errors. Whitney Davis paced the RU offense with five hits, four runs scored and six RBI.
Junior RHP Lydia Ritchie (10-4) took the loss in the first game after surrendering five runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Abby Morrow (8-5) tossed a complete game, giving up four runs on 10 hits with no walks and five strikeouts.
Freshman RHP Mary Williams (3-5) suffered the loss in the second contest, allowing four runs on one hit while walking four and striking out one. Kayla Huffman (4-1) was efficient in the complete-game victory, scattering five hits and allowing just one run with five strikeouts and a walk.
How it Happened (Game 1): Both teams put a couple of runners on base in the first innings but no runs came across for either side. Radford jumped ahead 3-0 in the bottom of the second as Becky Mantel highlighted the half inning with a two-run single. Smith answered for East Carolina quickly in the top of the third with a RBI single that scored senior shortstop Casey Alcorn who had singled with one out and advanced to third on a Cheek double. The Highlanders looked to pull away in the home half, scoring two runs on four hits, but junior outfielder Ciara Ervin kept it close with a three-run home run in the top of the sixth that pulled the Pirates within 5-4. Radford recovered from the blow and netted four runs in the bottom of the inning to account for the finale score.
How it Happened (Game 2): Huffman kept the East Carolina offense in check with four perfect innings and she received plenty of support as the Highlanders plated five runs in the bottom of the first off of a bases-loaded walk and a Davis grand slam. Radford tacked on a run in the bottom of the second via a RBI groundout to pull ahead 6-0. ECU had a great chance to chip away at the lead in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with no outs after a Cheek double, Ramirez walk and Smith single. However, Huffman retired the next three batters in order to terminate the threat. Junior outfielder Kacie Oshiro broke up the shutout with a RBI double with two outs in the top of the seventh before a fly out to left ended the contest.
Bits and Pieces: ECU fell to 21-4 overall against Radford and 2-4 at the Radford Softball Stadium … The Pirates dropped to 0-5 in true road contests this season … The doubleheader marked the first two home games for the Highlanders in 2016 … The teams combined to produce seven two-out RBI … Six of the Pirates' 16 hits went for extra bases … Ervin pulled into a tie for the team lead in home runs with her third of the season … East Carolina has hit 19 home runs this season and allowed its opponents just six … ECU has played 24 of 30 games away from Greenville this season.
Up Next: The Pirates will head back to Virginia this weekend for a three-game non-conference series at No. 8 James Madison. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday before wrapping things up with a single game Sunday.
