March 14, 2010

Final Stats

LUBBOCK, Texas - The North Carolina Central University softball team (4-14) concluded the Texas Tech Tournament Sunday morning with a battle against tournament-host Texas Tech University (24-2), where they dropped an 11-0 decision to the Red Raiders at Rocky Johnson Field to end the weekend with a 0-5 record.

Red Raider pitcher Ashly Jacobs (9-0) was headed for a perfect game until NCCU freshman Shakemia Edwards spoiled her hopes with a single to give the Lady Eagles their only hit of the ballgame. Up until the top of the fifth, Jacobs had struck out eight batters, not allowing any runs, hits or walks.

Jacobs was two outs away from pitching the perfect game when Edwards singled down the left field line, giving NCCU its first base runner. Unfortunately, the Lady Eagles were unable to capitalize off the hit as the next two batters were retired to end the game in five.

Edwards went 1-for-2 on the day to lead the Lady Eagle offense. As a team, NCCU notched one hit on 16 at-bats with zero runs and nine strikeouts. They left just one runner on base and committed a total of five errors.

Outside of Edwards' single, the Texas Tech pitching game gave NCCU trouble. Jacobs earned her ninth win of the season after allowing just one hit and zero runs without a walk and nine strikeouts. Over the weekend, the Red Raider's stable allowed just five hits and one run from the Lady Eagles.

NCCU senior Kristen Schooler (1-4) pitched a complete game and suffered the loss for the Lady Eagles. She allowed 11 runs on 10 hits with two walks in four innings of work. Seven of those 11 runs were earned. Schooler made her fourth start of the season and dropped to 1-4 on the mound.

It seemed that the second inning was Texas Tech's favorite as they scored the majority of their runs in the second inning for the third consecutive game against the Lady Eagles. The Red Raiders plated seven of their 11 runs in the second inning off of six hits and three Lady Eagle errors. The other four came in the third.

Jennifer Lee was their power hitter with two doubles in the second inning alone as she went 3-for-3 on the day with two RBIs. The Red Raiders finished with 11 runs on 10 hits in 20 at-bats with six RBIs and two walks. They remained flawless throughout the entire series, not recording a single error.

NCCU concluded the Texas Tech Tournament with a 0-5 record, unable to put one in the win column. They dropped to 4-14 on the season, just one win shy of tying their winning record from last season, where they finished with a 5-43 record. Texas Tech improved to 24-2 on the season with Jackson State on the horizon.

The Lady Eagles will take a brief break before returning to the diamond on Saturday, March 20, where they will host Campbell University (5-14-1) in a doubleheader at the Thomas Brooks Athletic Complex in Cary, N.C. Game times are scheduled for noon and 2 p.m.