March 23, 2010

Final Stats - Game 1

Final Stats - Game 2

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Two North Carolina Central University (5-19) student-athletes hit their first career homeruns to hold off a Lady Ram sweep in Tuesday afternoon's doubleheader as NCCU defeated rival Winston-Salem State University (3-10), 7-5, after falling 10-1 in first game action at Randy Jones Field in Twin City Park.

Sophomores Jessica Refojo and Andrea Searls each hit their first career homerun in game two action to spark a NCCU rally that would give the Lady Eagles the advantage. Refojo went 2-for-2 at the plate with one run and four RBIs, while Searls racked up a team-high four hits on six at-bats with three runs, two doubles and three RBIs.

They were not alone as one other Lady Eagle left her mark at the field with a homerun of her own. Senior Desanbra Franklin hit her fourth homerun of the season to join Refojo and Searls in the homerun club. Franklin went 3-for-6 on the day with two runs, a double and an RBI.

Nadia Jefferies and Ashanti Stroud also contributed to the Lady Eagle's aggressive offensive game. Jefferies went 3-for-7 with a stolen base, while Stroud went 2-for-6 with two runs. The Lady Eagles put on a great offensive effort as they racked in eight runs on 17 hits with seven RBIs. Defensively, they committed four errors.

Game one saw senior Kristen Schooler (1-6) in the circle as she suffered the loss after allowing 10 runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings of work. She allowed the Lady Rams to score eight unanswered runs, while striking out four. Schooler battled freshman pitcher Brittany Lane (2-5), who earned the win after keeping the Lady Eagles off the bases. Lane allowed just one run on four hits, while striking out five in five innings pitched.

NCCU struggled in the first game, getting just four base runners with just four hits on the game. The Lady Eagles earned their first and only run in the fourth when Franklin attacked Lane's pitch to send it flying for a homerun. It was a different story on the other side of the field as Winston-Salem State notched 10 runs on nine hits.

Winston-Salem State jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead following a Whitney Hall double through the left side that plated Lane. Held off the scoreboard in the second, the Lady Rams picked up their offense to plate three in the third following three back-to-back hits, two which were doubles.

The Lady Rams clinched the win in the fifth, where they scored six runs off of three hits and an errant throw from the NCCU pitcher. Three of those runs came off a homerun by Kayla Woodbury. Winston-Salem State finished the game with 11 RBIs with four coming from Woodbury.

The Lady Eagles threw two pitchers in game two with Shamika Chavis-Hodge (1-2) making the start. Chavis-Hodge allowed five runs on six hits in 1.1 innings before being replaced by sophomore Aurora Baker (1-2). Baker earned the win after leading the Lady Eagles past a Lady Ram team that had taken an early 3-0 lead. She allowed zero runs on two hits in 5.2 innings pitched, while striking out three.

Lane, who had just come off a complete game, jumped back into the circle for the Lady Rams. This time, she took the loss after allowing seven runs on 13 hits in seven innings of work. Lane didn't allow any unearned runs and struck out five NCCU batters. She dropped to 2-5 on the season.

Game two saw the Lady Eagles come back to life after digging themselves in a hole in the first inning. Just like the first game, the Lady Rams jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first, while NCCU was held off the base path. The Lady Eagles rallied back in the second, plating three runs off a homer by Searls, which tied the game at 3-3.

Unfortunately, Winston-Salem State had a response of their own, scoring two more runs off a homerun by Bonika Terry, which gave the Lady Rams a 5-3 advantage going into the third. Those were the last runs Winston-Salem State would see as they were held scoreless for the remaining five innings.

NCCU rallied back from two runs down as Refojo hit a three-run homer with two outs to carry the Lady Eagles into a 6-5 lead, their first lead on the day. All that was left was to play smart defense and they did just that. Winston-Salem State managed to get just five runners the rest of the game, while NCCU earned eight runners and scored one more in the sixth off a single by Refojo that sent Searls across the plate for a 7-5 NCCU lead.

The Lady Rams came close to sweeping, getting three runners on base in the seventh, but the NCCU defense refused to let go and retired the inning in four batters to claim a 7-5 win and avoid the sweep.

Winston-Salem State was led by Woodbury, who went 6-for-7 on the day with three runs and six RBIs. She also had a double and a pair of homeruns. She was accompanied by Terry, who went 2-for-6 with three runs, four RBIs, a homerun and a stolen base. Joining Woodbury and Terry was Britney Cato, who went 3-for-7 with a run and a RBI. Cato also notched a pair of doubles on the day.

As a team, the Lady Rams finished the day with 15 runs on 17 hits. They totaled 16 RBIs and struck out nine times. They dropped to 3-10 on the season, while NCCU improved to 5-19, tying their winning record from last season. The Lady Eagles snapped their 10-game losing skid with their win over the Lady Rams.

NCCU will return to the diamond tomorrow, March 24, where they will host East Carolina University (11-11) in doubleheader action. The Lady Eagles and the Pirates will battle at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C. on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the second game slated to begin at 3 p.m.

For more information on Lady Eagle softball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.