East Carolina University
UConn
East Carolina Falters At UConn, 8-5
April 16, 2016 | Softball
STORRS, Conn. - Leading 5-0 in the fourth inning, East Carolina issued 10 walks over the final three frames and saw UConn rally for an 8-5 victory in the middle game of the teams' series at the Burrill Family Field.
ECU (20-25, 2-9 AAC) limited the Huskies (15-25, 2-7 AAC) to just three hits while racking up 10 in comparison. The teams combined for 15 walks and committed an error apiece.
Junior outfielder Ciara Ervin and senior catcher Kelsi Briggs each tallied three hits and Ervin scored a pair of runs. Junior first baseman Ali Ramirez also drove in two runs. Valerie Sadowl was responsible for two of UConn's three hits while also ending up with four RBI.
Freshman RHP Morgan Halo (0-1) was tagged with the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits with five walks and a strikeout. The result did not reflect a stellar start by junior RHP Lydia Ritchie who struck out six batters against no walks in three innings of work. She left the game after the third with a 5-0 lead and in line for the win. The victory instead went to Jill Stockley (5-10) who tossed the final 4.1 innings and gave up two runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
How it Happened: After Ervin led off the game with a triple to right field, senior shortstop Casey Alcorn and sophomore third baseman Karlie Smith drew one-out walks to load the bases. Senior outfielder Nicole Cheek followed with a sacrifice fly that put East Carolina ahead 1-0 heading to the home half.
The Pirates added to their lead in the top of the third inning thanks to a RBI single and bases-loaded walk drawn by pinch hitter Sloan Bradford. ECU's advantage increased even more in the top of the fourth. Ervin and Briggs singled to lead off the frame before Alcorn doubled to drive home Ervin and make the score 4-0. Ramirez later reached on fielder's choice play that allowed Alcorn to slide home and give her team a 5-0 cushion.
The Huskies plated three runs in the bottom of the fourth without the benefit of a base hit due in large part to three walks issued in the inning. The control issues continued in the bottom of the fifth when Lexi Gifford and Dominique Pinto drew consecutive walks to bring up Ryne Nakama who singled home two runs with one out on the board. Sadowl provided the final blow with a three-run home run that proved to be the game-winning hit. ECU was unable to score in the sixth or seventh.
Bits and Pieces: East Carolina fell to 3-2 in the all-time series with UConn … The Pirates dropped to 2-10 in true road contests, including a 1-4 mark in league play … ECU lost for the sixth time this season when scoring first and 9-5 when scoring in the first inning … The teams combined to have nine leadoff batters reach base … Alcorn extended her current hitting streak to six games while Ervin has reached base safely in 12-straight contests.
Up Next: East Carolina and UConn will play the rubber game of the series Sunday with first pitch scheduled for noon at the Burrill Family Field.
