March 27, 2010

Final Stats

DOVER, Del. - The North Carolina Central University softball team (5-22) left seven runners stranded and committed five errors to fall, 13-1, to Howard University (9-11) in the opening game of the Sean Savage Epilepsy Awareness Tournament at the Hornet's Nest in Dover, Del., Saturday afternoon.

Michelle Ishida, Ashanti Stroud, Shakemia Edwards and Andrea Searls each went 1-for-3 on the day to lead the Lady Eagle offense. NCCU struggled to get on the scoreboard, plating just one run off of four hits. Ishida notched the only run on the day for the Lady Eagles as she crossed the plate following a walk by Trishann Hayes.

Kristen Schooler (1-7) picked up the loss in the circle as she allowed 13 runs on 11 hits after pitching six innings. The senior from Mitchellville, Md. allowed just four earned runs, while walking three and striking out one.

NCCU scored its first and only run in the first inning as Ishida singled up the middle with one out to give the Lady Eagles' their first hit and base runner of the day. Ashanti Stroud followed with a single to the pitcher to advance Ishida to second. Desanbra Franklin walked to load the bases for NCCU as Hayes stepped in the box.

Hayes showed patience at the plate and walked to earn an RBI as Ishida crossed the plate, but it wasn't enough as Howard had already racked up four runs in its first at-bat. The Lady Eagles managed to cut the deficit to 4-1. Hayes notched two walks on the day and had the only Lady Eagle RBI.

With the bases still loaded, Howard retired the next two batters to close the inning, while the Lady Eagles totaled just one run on two hits and left three runners stranded. The next two innings saw NCCU struggle at the plate as Howard retired the next six NCCU batters to keep the Lady Eagles without a hit or a base runner in the second and third. Howard notched three more runs in the second to take a 7-1 lead.

NCCU saw its next hit in the fourth when Edwards singled down the left field line with one out. Edwards earned out number two following a 4-6 putout off the bat of Searls. Searls took first off the fielder's choice and was left stranded as the Lady Eagles earned just one hit and left their fourth runner on the base path.

Howard continued to rack up runs on the scoreboard as they scored again in the fifth and sixth innings to total six more runs on the day. The Bison took a 13-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth as the Lady Eagles had one more opportunity to keep the game alive.

The sixth inning was promising for the Lady Eagles as Hayes earned her second walk of the day with two outs. Edwards struck out swinging but earned a spot onboard as the ball went past the catcher for a wild pitch, giving the Lady Eagles a runner on first and second. Searls answered with a single through the right side, giving NCCU bases loaded for the second time of the day. NCCU left all three stranded as Howard took a 13-1 victory.

Howard racked up 13 runs on 11 hits with nine RBIs. The Bison offense was led by Courtney Young and Nicole Saez. Young went 2-for-4 with three runs, two RBIs a double and a homerun, while Saez was 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs, and a pair of doubles. Lorae Robinson was also 2-for-4 with two runs of her own.

The Bison pitching stable gave the Lady Eagles trouble as they allowed just one run and four hits. They walked three runners and struck out 11. Christina McCoy (3-3) earned the win after allowing just one run on three hits in four innings of work. She also totaled six strikeouts. Her replacement Emily Johnson allowed zero runs and one hit in 1.2 innings pitched, while also striking out five.

NCCU dropped to 5-22 on the season, while Howard improved to 9-11. The Lady Eagles will return to the diamond at 4 p.m., where they will battle tournament-host Delaware State in their second and final game of the day. The Hornets open the tournament with the Lady Eagles and stand at 10-8 on the season.

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