East Carolina University
FIU
FIU Tops East Carolina 7-3 In Miami
March 08, 2016 | Softball
MIAMI, Fla. - Ashley Leon went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI Tuesday to lift FIU past East Carolina 7-3 in a non-conference contest at Felsberg Field.
The Panthers (14-8) out-hit the Pirates (13-10) 10-7 while both teams committed an error.
Junior first baseman Ali Ramirez paced the ECU offense with two hits and a RBI while sophomore designated player Sloan Bradford tallied her second home run of the campaign. A total of six Pirates recorded hits.
Megan Kugelmann (3-1) allowed three runs (all earned) on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts in her third victory of the season. Junior RHP Lydia Ritchie (7-3) lost her second-straight decision after giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
How it Happened: East Carolina put a runner in scoring position in its first three offensive innings but could not push a run across. FIU broke through with three runs on three hits and a Pirate error in the bottom of the third frame to jump out to a 3-0 advantage. Gabby Spallone provided the big blow - a two-run single with no outs. A two-run double by Dani Mowrey then highlighted a four-run fourth inning that allowed the Panthers to pull ahead 7-0. ECU broke up the shutout in the top of the sixth as senior shortstop Casey Alcorn and sophomore third baseman Karlie Smith both singled before junior outfielder Ciara Ervin doubled to right center to score Alcorn. Ramirez would double with two outs, driving home Ervin to make it a 7-2 contest. Bradford completed the scoring in the top of the seventh with a bomb of a leadoff home run to left center.
Bits and Pieces: East Carolina fell to 4-3 all-time against FIU and 1-3 against the Panthers in Miami … Kugelmann had surrendered just four runs and walked three batters all season as well as allowing a nation-best 1.91 hits per seven innings entering the contest ... Freshman RHP Mary Williams tossed the final two innings in the circle, allowing no runs and striking out three batters … ECU has now hit 15 home runs this season while opponents have only clubbed five.
Up Next: East Carolina makes a return trip to Clearwater this weekend for the Under Armour Showcase. The Pirates will take on Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green, New Mexico State, Southern Illinois and IPFW during the three-day event.
