March 28, 2010

Final Stats

DOVER, Del. - The North Carolina Central University softball team (5-24) suffered a hard fought loss to Colgate University (16-5) Sunday morning as the Lady Eagles tallied 10 hits and four RBIs to put on their best showing of the weekend, while the Raiders used 11 hits and seven RBIs to clinch a 7-5 victory over NCCU in day two action of the Sean Savage Epilepsy Awareness Tournament at the Hornets' Nest in Dover, Del.

The Lady Eagle offense was anchored by senior power hitter Desanbra Franklin, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a double. Nadia Jefferies, Michelle Ishida and Andrea Searls all went 2-for-4 at the plate to combine for six Lady Eagle hits. Jefferies added two stolen bases and two runs, while Ishida had two RBIs, a double and a stolen base. Searls contributed on the bases for NCCU with two stolen bases of her own.

Making the start in the circle for the Lady Eagles was sophomore transfer Aurora Baker (1-4). Baker picked up the loss after allowing seven runs on 11 hits in six innings of work. She walked four and struck out one. Of the seven runs allowed, six were earned as Baker dropped to 1-4 on the season.

NCCU was held to just three batters in the first inning, while the Raiders got on the scoreboard quickly with two runs in the first off a two-run homerun from the bat of Jennifer Ortega. Aside from the homerun, the NCCU defense held Colgate to just one more hit and forced them to leave two runners stranded.

The Lady Eagles responded back in the second with their most productive inning of the weekend so far. NCCU plated three to take a 3-2 lead. Franklin started the inning off with a single up the middle and landed on second after a the Colgate pitcher made a throwing error off the bat of Ashanti Stroud, placing Stroud on first off the fielder's choice. Searls kept the rally going as she singled through the right side and advanced to second on an error by the right fielder, which sent Franklin across the plate for the Lady Eagles' first run of the game.

Colgate retired the next two batters, but NCCU still had two runners in scoring position as NCCU approached the bottom of their lineup. Sophomore Jessica Refojo, who went 1-for-3 on the day with two RBIs, hammered the ball down the left field line, which sent Stroud and Searls home. The Lady Eagles were back up to the top of their lineup as Jefferies singled and advanced to second to put runners on second and third for the Lady Eagles. Ishida hit into a 6-3 putout to retire the inning as NCCU led, 3-2.

NCCU's lead didn't last for long as Colgate plated another run in the second to tie the game at three. The Raiders picked up their defense in the third, holding NCCU scoreless as the Lady Eagles left two runners stranded after getting two hits. Franklin doubled to right-center field, while Searls singled to left field.

The Raiders added another run on the scoreboard in the third to take a 4-3 lead after Emmie Dolfi hit an RBI single down the left field line to score Nicole Siedhof. The Lady Eagle defense fought back to hold the Raiders' one-run lead as they forced Colgate to leave two runners stranded with just one hit in the inning.

NCCU battled back in the fourth to tie the game at four after Jefferies used her lightning speed to earn a spot on first base after she singled to third base with two outs. She caught the catcher sleeping and stole second base, which put her in scoring position. Ishida singled up the middle to plate Jefferies as NCCU tied the game at four. Ishida stole second, but was left on base when Shakemia Edwards hit into a 5-3 putout.

The Raiders continued the head-to-head battle, allowing the Lady Eagles to see just a little bit of light before crashing their hopes for a victory. Colgate answered back to plate another run as Alana Dyson hit a triple down the left field line with one out. Ortega hit a sacrifice fly to center field, which sent Dyson home for a 5-4 lead.

Unfortunately, the Lady Eagles were held scoreless in the fifth, getting just one hit and two base runners. NCCU left both runners stranded as Colgate retired the inning. They managed to get one more run in the sixth when Jefferies got onboard after a fielding error by the third baseman. She stole second to get in scoring position and crossed the plate off a double to center field from the bat of Ishida.

That one run wasn't enough as Colgate had earned two more runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 7-4. As the bottom of the sixth approached, the Lady Eagles were down 7-5 and needed to keep the Raiders off the base path. They did just that, allowing Colgate to get just one hit and one base runner.

The Raiders were three outs away from clinching the victory as the Lady Eagles stepped to the plate in the top of the seventh. Colgate retired the lead-off batter for the first out. Searls got onboard off a fielding error by the shortstop and stole second. Searls was left on second as the next two batters were retired to give Colgate the win.

Picking up the win in the circle was Courtney O'Connell (2-2), who pitched the final four innings of the game. She gave up two runs and four hits, while striking out three. She earned her second win after allowing just one earned run. She replaced Jesse McCarrick (6-1), who started the game and pitched three innings. She allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out four. She gave up just two earned runs in her appearance on the mound.

NCCU dropped to 5-24 on the season, while Colgate improved to 16-5. The Lady Eagles will return to action at 1 p.m. when they conclude the Sean Savage Epilepsy Awareness Tournament with Maryland Eastern Shore.

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