April 10, 2010

Final Stats - Game 1

Final Stats - Game 2

CARY, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University softball team cruised to a 6-3 victory over Savannah State University Saturday afternoon before dropping a 5-4 decision in the seventh inning of the second game to split doubleheader action with the Lady Tigers at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C.

NCCU improved to 7-29 on the season, while Savannah State remains even with a 15-15-1 record. The Lady Eagles snapped their three-game losing skid by clinching the win in the first game, but couldn't keep the winning streak alive, falling in the second game as Savannah State battled into the seventh inning.

A four-run fourth was all the Lady Eagles needed to seal the deal in game one. NCCU got its first run in the second when Ashanti Stroud crossed the plate after earning a spot onboard following a single to third base. Andrea Searls hit an RBI-single up the middle to bring Stroud home.

The Lady Eagles earned their second run in the third when Mae'Risha Watts led-off with a triple over the centerfielder's head. She was brought home by Michelle Ishida, who hit a RBI-single through the left side.

NCCU earned the rest of its runs in the fourth, where they plated four runs off of four hits. Jessica Refojo started the inning off with a double to right field. She advanced to third when Trishann Hayes laid down a sacrifice bunt, putting runners on the corners. Watts responded with a sacrifice bunt of her own to load the bases for NCCU.

Nadia Jefferies landed on first off a fielder's choice, keeping the bases loaded with one out as Refojo was sent to the dugout after a 6-2 putout at home plate. With two outs, Shakemia Edwards' patience in the box sent her walking to first as Hayes crossed the plate for a 3-1 advantage. Desanbra Franklin followed with a three-RBI double to left-center field, giving the Lady Eagles a 6-1 lead.

Stroud went 2-for-2 in the game with one run and an RBI. She also earned the Lady Eagles' only stolen base of the game. Watts was a perfect 2-for-2 on the day with two runs scored and a triple. Franklin put on a 2-for-4 outing with three RBIs and a double. NCCU went 11-for-27 with six runs, five RBIs and four errors.

Savannah State earned its first run in the second inning, but was held scoreless for the next four innings as they managed to score two in the seventh inning to fall 6-3 to the Lady Eagles. Madison Hedderly went 3-for-4 with one run and a triple for Savannah State. The Lady Tigers went 9-for-31 with three runs and three errors.

NCCU freshman Kayla McPeek (3-7) earned the win in the circle as she gave up just three earned runs and nine hits in a complete game. She walked just one batter and struck out one. McPeek improved to 3-7 on the year. Hedderly (7-8) took the loss for Savannah State after allowing six earned runs and 11 hits in six innings of work. She walked one and struck out a pair of batters to drop to 7-8 on the season.

Game two looked much like game one for NCCU in the first three innings as the Lady Eagles jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage. The Lady Eagles scored two quick runs in the first. Jefferies led the game off with a bunt and didn't waste any time stealing second. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Ishida. Jefferies crossed the plate following a RBI-triple down the right field line from the bat of Franklin, putting NCCU up 1-0.

Franklin crossed the plate off a throwing error by the shortstop, which landed Stroud on second after advancing on the throw. The Lady Eagles took a quick 2-0 lead going into the second inning.

Holding Savannah State to just six batters in the first two innings, they continued to take control of the ballgame with two more runs in the third. Once again, Jefferies led-off with a bunt and found herself on second. A fielding error by the pitcher put Ishida on first and advanced Jefferies to third. Franklin singled to left-center field to send Jefferies across the plate for a 3-0 advantage. A sacrifice bunt by Stroud plated Ishida for a 4-0 NCCU lead.

Through the third, Savannah State was held to just one hit and two base runners, but that didn't last long. The Lady Tigers battled in the fourth and managed to tie the game at four when they scored four runs off four hits and two NCCU errors. Savannah State battled from four runs down to tie the game with three innings left to play.

Neither team scored in the fifth and sixth innings with four base runners off of just one hit and one error between the two teams. A tough defensive effort from both sides forced the seventh inning to determine each team's fate.

Savannah State answered the challenge. With one out, Shamyra Adams singled to shortstop, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the NCCU catcher, putting herself in scoring position. The Lady Eagles managed to retire the next batter to get two outs. Tiffany Taylor hammered the ball through the left side to notch a RBI single, which scored Adams and gave Savannah State a 5-4 advantage.

Unfortunately for the Lady Eagles, they were able to get just three batters to the plate in the seventh as the Lady Tiger defense retired all three batters to get three consecutive outs and the 5-4 win.

Adams went 2-for-4 with one run and a stolen base. Hedderly and Taylor each went 1-for-4 as they combined for two runs and two RBIs. Savannah State totaled five runs on seven hits with three errors.

Franklin and Jefferies led NCCU as they each went 2-for-4. Franklin and Stroud combined for all four of the Lady Eagles' RBIs. Jefferies had two of NCCU's four runs scored. Jefferies, Ishida and Refojo each grabbed a stolen base. NCCU finished with four runs on five hits and three errors.

Cassie Standard (6-6) took home the win for the Lady Tigers when she allowed just two earned runs and five hits in seven innings of work. She walked two and struck out three as she improved to 6-6. NCCU sophomore transfer Aurora Baker (1-6) suffered the loss as she allowed two earned runs and seven hits in seven innings pitched. She walked one and struck out four as she dropped to 1-6 on the year.

The Lady Eagles will return to the diamond on Tuesday, April 13 when they host the Paladins of Furman University. NCCU will host Furman, a member of the Southern Conference, in Raleigh, N.C., at the Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State University due to a scheduling conflict at Thomas Brooks Park. Game times are set for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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