Feb. 24, 2009

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CARY, N.C. - North Carolina Central University outlasted the Lady Rams of Winston-Salem State University, in softball with their first win of the season. The Lady Eagles defeated WSSU 10-7, but fell in the first game, 10-8 at the Thomas E. Brooks Park on Tuesday afternoon.

In game one the Lady Rams jumped out 8-0 in the first two innings. However, NCCU cut the Lady Rams lead in half. NCCU scored four unanswered runs on an RBI single by Desanbra Franklin, to score Sophia Blue.

Ashanti Stroud reached on base on an error by the pitcher to score Michelle Ishdia. Next, Ashley Henderson blasted a right-center double to score Stroud. The Lady Rams (2-4) put up two runs in the fourth inning to put the team ahead 10-4.

The Lady Eagles scored in the fourth and fifth inning to inch closer to WSSU 10-6. In the bottom of the seventh the Lady Eagles would not go down. With two left on Jessica Refojo batted in Andrea Searls, when next at bat was Stroud who batted in Andrea Wheeler, cutting the deficit to two. NCCU left three stranded as Tia Kirby grounded out to third base and was called out.

Searls and Henderson each had three hits for NCCU, while Franklin had two RBI's.

NCCU had 17 hits to WSSU's 15.

In game two the Lady Eagles gave WSSU fits in the first two innings. NCCU (1-15) scored seven unanswered runs. Desanbra Franklin's deep left-center triple scored two runs for the Lady Eagles, but WSSU put a hold on the Lady Eagles and fought back with five runs in the third inning to come within two 5-7.

Both two teams would score one run each to leave the score 8-6 before a pair of insurance runs by the Lady Eagle in the sixth inning leading 10-6.

In the top of seventh inning, the Lady Eagles allowed WSSU to score a run and leave two stranded. The Lady Rams would manage just one seventh inning run.

NCCU outfielder Franklin led the Lady Eagles with Four RBI's and went 2-for-4 in the game. Sophia Blue was 3-for-4, and scored all for time for NCCU also added a pair of RBI's in the game as well.

Michelle Ishida got the victory for NCCU.