March 28, 2010

Final Stats

DOVER, Del. - The North Carolina Central University softball team (5-25) rallied from two runs down to tie the game in the seventh, but the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (1-9) refused to back down as they defeated the Lady Eagles in a heartbreaking 8-7 thriller Sunday afternoon at the Hornets' Nest in Dover, Del.

The Lady Eagles concluded the Sean Savage Epilepsy Awareness Tournament with a 0-4 record as they increase their losing streak to six. NCCU dropped to 5-25 on the season, while UMES improved to 1-9 on the season, earning their first victory of the season. The Lady Hawks finished the weekend with a 1-3 mark.

Mae'Risha Watts was the leader in the batter's box as she went 2-for-3 on the day. Watts notched her first collegiate homerun and totaled three RBIs to lead the NCCU offense. She also earned the only walk in the Lady Eagle lineup. Ashanti Stroud went 2-for-4 on the day to contribute to the NCCU offensive efforts.

Shamika Chavis-Hodge (1-2) earned the start on the mound for the Lady Eagles as she notched a no decision after allowing seven runs on eight hits in five innings of work. The freshman gave up just four earned runs, walked four and struck out four to earn her eighth appearance and seventh start of the season.

NCCU struck first as they scored the first run of the ballgame to lead-off the matchup. Shakemia Edwards, who reached on a fielder's choice, earned the first run of the day when she scored off a wild pitch. Two NCCU runners were left on as the Lady Eagles totaled one run and one hit in the first inning of play.

UMES quickly responded with two runs in the bottom half of the first to take a 2-1 advantage. The Lady Hawks grabbed two runs off of two hits and a NCCU error to lift them to an early lead. That marked just one of two errors that the Lady Eagle defense would commit in the ballgame.

The second inning would see the Lady Eagles plate another run to tie the game as freshman Kayla McPeek singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by the second baseman. With two outs, Nadia Jefferies used her speed to beat the throw to first, as she laid down a sacrifice bunt, which put runners on the corners. A wild pitch would send McPeek across the plate for a 2-2 tie, the first of two ties, as Jefferies advanced to second.

Continuing to take control of the game, Chelsea Logan hammered a shot to left field to record a three-RBI double, which would put three more on the scoreboard for the Lady Hawks to give them a 5-2 lead. It was that inning that put the damper on the Lady Eagles' spirits as UMES was in control of the game and wouldn't give up.

The Lady Hawks picked up the defense in the third as they retired all three NCCU batters that stepped to the plate. While the Lady Eagles failed to put another run on the scoreboard, UMES capitalized on the opportunity and plated its sixth run when Ashley Johnson doubled to left field, advanced to third off a bunt by Cy'Anna Scott before a double-steal by Johnson and Scott put Johnson home, extending the Lady Hawk lead to four, 6-2.

NCCU battled back to get within two as they earned two runs in the fourth following back-to-back bombs from the bats of Andrea Searls and Watts. Searls notched a triple to put a runner in scoring position and crossed the plate off an error by the UMES first baseman. Watts followed with a long ball to center field, earning her first collegiate homerun, cutting the deficit to 6-4.

A determined NCCU defense picked up the pace and held the Lady Hawks scoreless in the bottom of the fourth. The inning started with a walk and then a 1-6 putout gave the Lady Eagles their first out as Britney McLeod reached first on a fielder's choice. Searls worked her magic behind the plate and caught McLeod stealing. The final batter was retired on a 6-3 putout, giving NCCU another opportunity to do some damage.

The Lady Eagles put another run on the board in the fifth as UMES committed three errors in that inning alone. Edwards crossed the plate following a fielding error by the Lady Hawk second baseman to put NCCU within one as UMES stood with a 6-5 lead.

UMES answered back and took a 7-5 lead in the fifth when Scott hit a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Jasmine James for an RBI. The Lady Hawks begin to feel confident in their two-run cushion going into the sixth inning.

The sixth saw the Lady Eagles tally just one base runner as they recorded one hit and left one on base. NCCU threw senior pitcher Kristen Schooler (1-8) in the sixth as she held the Lady Hawks without a run or a hit in the sixth inning, leaving both teams scoreless in the sixth as the head-to-head battle sparked.

NCCU sparked a rally in the seventh, where they scored two runs to tie the game at seven. Desanbra Franklin earned a spot on base following a fielding error by the UMES shortstop. Nadia Moreta replaced Franklin as the runner. Stroud singled to the pitcher and advanced to second, moving Moreta to third as both runners were in scoring position. With one out, Watts bombed another one as she tallied a two-RBI single up the middle to score Moreta and Stroud as the Lady Eagles tied the game, 7-7.

Unfortunately, the Lady Eagles couldn't get their two other base runners around as they left two stranded after notching two runs on two hits and two errors. The Lady Hawks committed a total of seven errors on the day.

UMES came to the plate in need of just one run to clinch the win. James led-off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Johnson as Johnson earned a spot onboard on the fielder's choice. James and Johnson both advanced on a throwing error by Schooler to put both of them in scoring position.

Scott grounded out to first base as Michelle Ishida made the play to give the Lady Eagles their first out. Unfortunately, an unusual situation, earned the Lady Hawks the victory. While Kyrus Whitehurst stood in the batter's box, Schooler was called for an illegal pitch, which sent James home for the 8-7 win.

Shanice Crowder earned her first win in the circle for the Lady Hawks as she gave up seven runs and eight hits in seven innings pitched. She allowed just three earned runs, while recording one walk and two strikeouts. Schooler earned the loss for the Lady Eagles as she allowed one run and one hit in 1.1 innings of action. She fell to 1-8.

NCCU will return to action on Tuesday, March 30 as they face the Pirates of Hampton University in a doubleheader at the Tiny Laster Complex in Hampton, Va. Game times are set for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

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