March 12, 2010

Final Stats

LUBBOCK, Texas - A five-run fifth inning by the Jackson State Lady Tigers (4-10) was all that was needed to put the first game of the Texas Tech Tournament to rest as the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles (4-10) dropped a 9-1 decision to kick-off the three-day event Friday afternoon at the Rocky Johnson Field.

NCCU earned its only run from the bat of Desanbra Franklin, who hit a solo shot over the right-center field wall to notch her third homerun of the season. Franklin went 2-for-2 on the day with a double to go along with her homer. The Piqua, Ohio, native earned both of the Lady Eagles' two hits.

As a team, NCCU went 2-for-15 with three walks and four strikeouts. Defensively, they totaled 13 putouts and nine assists, while leaving four runners stranded on base. Unfortunately, the Lady Eagles committed two errors, both in the fifth inning, leading to five Lady Tiger runs, which stopped the game in five innings.

Kayla McPeek (2-3) earned her eighth appearance in the circle for NCCU. The Westerville, Ohio, native earned her fifth start of the season and suffered the loss after allowing nine runs on 12 hits in 4.1 innings of work. Five of those runs were earned. She faced 28 batters and totaled four walks and two strikeouts.

Jackson State shortstop Amanda Boggan led the Lady Tiger offense as she went 3-for-4 on the day with three RBIs and a double. The Lady Tiger's leader Wendi Reed went 2-for-2 on the day, while pitcher Brittanie Talley went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Jackson State went 12-for-22 with eight RBIs and zero errors.

Earning the win in the circle for Jackson State was Talley (3-3), who evened her record at three. She allowed one run on two hits in five innings of work, while recording three walks and four strikeouts. Talley earned her seventh appearance of the season and her fifth start.

Jackson State dominated from its first at-bat. The Lady Tigers scored three runs in the first inning to take a quick 3-0 lead. NCCU managed to keep them off the scoreboard long enough to get a run on the board in the top of the fourth, but the Lady Tigers answered back with a run of their own to take a 4-1 lead.

Unfortunately, the fifth inning would doom the Lady Eagles as Jackson State scored five runs with one out to take a 9-1 lead. With Jackson State as the home team, the ninth run that plated sent the game to an early end. Three of those runs were unearned as NCCU committed two errors that would have kept the Lady Eagles in the ballgame.

Jackson State improved to 4-10 on the season and is now 1-0 in the series against NCCU. The Lady Eagles dropped to 4-10 on the season, just one-win shy of tying their winning record from last season.

NCCU will return to action later on today when they face tournament-host Texas Tech at 6 p.m. CST. It will mark the Lady Eagles' first meeting with Texas Tech. The Red Raiders and the Lady Eagles will conclude day one of the Texas Tech Tournament. Texas Tech (20-2) defeated Jackson State in their opening game of the tournament.