April 13, 2010

Final Stats - Game 1

Final Stats - Game 2 

RALEIGH, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University softball team's 11 hits in two games was not enough as Furman University put on a 20-hit performance to roll past the Lady Eagles in an 8-2, 4-0 doubleheader sweep Tuesday evening at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State.

NCCU extended its losing streak to three as they drop to 7-31 on the season, while Furman snapped its two-game losing skid and increased its mark to 15-17 on the year.

Shakemia Edwards powered the Lady Eagle attack as she went 3-for-6 on the day with a 2-for-3 outing in the first game, triggering an eight-hit performance from the Lady Eagles. Assisting Edwards was Andrea Searls, who went 2-for-5. NCCU concluded game one with two runs, eight hits and two stolen bases, while committing three errors.

NCCU grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first with two runs off of three hits. Nadia Jefferies led-off the frame and landed on first off an error by the first baseman, which allowed her to take a spot on second. A bunt from Michelle Ishida advanced Jefferies to third. Ishida stole second to put two runners in scoring position.

With one out, Desanbra Franklin did her job as the clean-up hitter with a two-RBI single to center field that brought Jefferies and Ishida home for two runs, one earned. Two runs was all the action the Lady Eagles would see on the day as they were shut-out in the finale.

Furman took control in the second with a two-run homer over the center field fence from Brythe Blankenship that would give them a 3-2 lead. They scored one run in the third off a Morgan Hughey RBI single down the left field line that plated Katie Michaels for a 4-2 advantage. Three more runs were added on the Furman side in the fourth.

Stephanie Field and Michaels led-off with singles as the bases were loaded by Jessie Homesley who walked. Hughey landed a two-run single up the middle to put the Paladins up, 6-2, while Lana Mackey followed with a RBI single up the middle, extending the Furman lead to 7-2.

The Paladins topped off the win with a run in the seventh after Field earned a spot onboard off an errant throw by the NCCU third baseman that would send her to second. A RBI single through the left side from the bat of Michaels sent Field home to give the Paladins an 8-2 win in the first game of the doubleheader.

Michaels went 4-for-4 in the game with two runs and a RBI, while Hughey went 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

Senior Kristen Schooler (2-10) suffered the loss for the Lady Eagles, allowing seven runs on six hits in 3.1 innings pitched. She dropped to 2-10 in the circle after walking five and not recording a strikeout. Aurora Baker saw some action in the ballgame, pitching 3.2 innings and giving up one run on six hits and a walk.

Furman's Mackey (11-7) took home the win in the circle after allowing just one earned run on eight hits in seven innings of work. The senior didn't issue a single walk and she fanned a game-high 10 batters.

In game two, the Lady Eagles were shut-out as the Paladins claimed a 4-0 victory off of just two innings of action. NCCU was held to just three hits and committed one error. They totaled just five base runners in the second game with four left stranded. The Lady Eagles' three hits came from Edwards, Ashanti Stroud and Jessica Refojo.

The Paladins scored two runs in the third and two runs in the sixth, which turned out to be all they needed. In the third, Megan Schonhar walked to give Furman its second base runner of the game. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kayla Suskauer. A RBI single from Field sent her home for a 1-0 lead.

Field stole second to put another Paladin in scoring position and advanced to third on a sacrifice from Michaels. She eventually scored on a throw down to second base from the NCCU catcher, who was trying to catch Michaels stealing, giving the Paladins a quick 2-0 cushion.

Furman sealed the deal in the sixth when they hit back-to-back home runs to clinch a 4-0 win. Hughey sent the ball sailing over the left field wall, while Mackey delivered the ball over the left-center field fence.

NCCU freshman pitcher Kayla McPeek (3-8) took home the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits in seven innings of work. She dropped to 3-8 in the circle. For Furman, Suskauer (3-4) earned her first career shutout, holding the Lady Eagles to three hits. She struck out a career-high nine batters and did not allow a walk.

Michaels went 2-for-2 with a double and two sacrifice bunts, while Suskauer also went 2-for-2. Furman notched four runs and eight hits, while committing one error in the final game.

The Lady Eagles will return to action when they host rival Winston-Salem State University on Thursday, April 15 in a doubleheader at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Game times are set for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

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