| softBALL RESULTS |
Florida 8, LIU 0
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Florida 8, Maine 0
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Florida 11, Illinois State 0
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Ole Miss 9, Stephen F. Austin 0
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Ole Miss 11, Stephen F. Austin 3
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Auburn 2, IPFW 0
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Mississippi State 8, Jacksonville State 1
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Arkansas 10, Iowa 2
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Arkansas 5, Baylor 1
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Georgia 8, Utah State 0
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Georgia 2, St. John's 1
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South Carolina 5, Western Kentucky 4
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South Carolina 8, Winthrop 1
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Tennessee 6, San Diego State 5
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Tennessee 3, Arizona State 0
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UCLA 6, Kentucky 2
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Alabama 15, Lipscomb 4
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Alabama 12, South Alabama 1
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Michigan 2, LSU 1
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LSU 1, Penn State 0
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Gator Softball Finishes Season-Opener With 8-0, Five-Inning Victory Over LIU Saturday Morning
Tampa, Fla. – After a rain delay halted No. 2/4 UF softball's season-opener versus Long Island Friday, Florida wasted no time adding its eighth run of the tilt in the continuation Saturday morning to enforce the run rule after the fifth inning, securing the Gators’ 23rd all-time season-opening victory with an 8-0 victory over the Blackbirds (0-2).
Sophomore All-American hurler Hannah Rogers (Lake Wales, Fla.) and freshman righty Alyssa Bache (Clearwater, Fla.) teamed up for a two-hit shutout, as Rogers worked the first 4.0 until the weather delay Friday, while Bache finished off the final inning for the Orange and Blue Saturday morning. Rogers fanned five and allowed just two hits and one walk for her first win of the year, while Bache recorded her first K of the season in her first appearance donning the Orange and Blue.
Saturday’s continuation of the Gators versus Blackbirds match-up started with freshman Jessica Damico (Gray Summit, Mo.) on third, senior Michelle Moultrie (Jacksonville, Fla.) at the plate with a 2-0 count and the Gators leading the Blackbirds, 7-0. Long Island traded Friday’s starting pitcher Sarah Reynolds for Nicole Archer in the circle Saturday.
Archer walked three straight, first Moultrie – followed by a Moultrie stolen base – then freshmen Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Lauren Haeger (Peoria, Ariz.), to bring Damico across home for the 8-0 lead before a final strikeout retired the side, ending the UF rally.
Bache finished off the Blackbirds to seal the deal for UF in the bottom of the fifth frame as the Gators improved to 23-5 overall in season-openers and 9-3 under Florida head coach Tim Walton.
Four Florida freshmen in Fagan, Haeger, Katie Medina (Downey, Calif.) and Damico made their first career starts in a Gator uniform against LIU, combining for five of UF’s nine hits, led by Fagan’s 2-for-3 effort and Damico’s 2-for-2 performance. Damico drove in one run, while Haeger had a team-leading two RBI in the contest.
The Gators scattered runs in the first, third and fifth innings, with one each in the first and third before pouring it on in the fifth. After three uncharacteristic errors for the young Florida squad through the first two frames, the Gators found their rhythm, relying on a two-out rally in the fifth for the season-opening spark that allowed UF to distance itself from LIU Friday.
Junior catcher Brittany Schutte (Fountain Valley, Calif.) started the rally with patience at the plate, drawing a two-out walk, while sophomore Cheyenne Coyle (West Hills, Calif.), junior Kelsey Horton (Valrico, Fla.) followed with base hits to load the bags. Sophomore Kasey Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) walked, bringing in a run for the 3-0 lead. Next up, junior Ensley Gammel (Bakersfield, Calif.), pinch hitting for Medina, roped a RBI single through the left side, while Horton made it two runs by capitalizing on an error by the LIU catcher to take the Orange and Blue up, 5-0.
The pressure mounted for LIU as the rain began to fall, resulting in another Florida run on a Reynolds wild pitch. Damico followed with a single to left center, turning over the Florida lineup with her second hit of the game and scoring Gammel. Damico proceeded to steal second and advance to third on another Reynolds wild pitch with Moultrie at the plate before the umpires deemed the conditions unplayable, resulting in Sunday’s finale.
Archer and Sterling Hoham accounted for LIU’s two hits in the game, while Reynolds was charged with her first loss of the season.
The Gators will return to the USF Softball Stadium for match-ups with Maine and Illinois State Saturday evening at 6 and 8:15, respectively. Follow all of Florida’s games this season on Twitter @GatorZoneSBall or tune in locally on the radio at 104.9 FM, with the call by Mike Gillespie and former Gator All-American Megan Bush.
Florida Softball Powers Its Way to Run-Rule Shutout Victories over Maine and Illinois State Saturday
Tampa, Fla. - The No. 2/4 Gators powered their way to two dominating run-rule shutout victories Saturday evening at the USF Softball Stadium, downing Maine, 8-0, and Illinois State, 11-0, to improve to 3-0 in 2012. Florida used five doubles, two triples and four homers to add their second and third shutout victories – all of which were five innings – after opening the season with an 8-0 win over Long Island earlier in the day.
Through its first three games this season, Florida has outscored its opponents, 27-0, smashed four long balls, including a Cheyenne Coyle (West Hills, Calif.) grand slam, racked up 25 RBI and tallied a .455 batting average, led by freshman Sami Fagan’s (Dunnellon, Fla.) .889 clip after going 8-for-9 at the plate through Saturday’s three games.
Sophomore righty Hannah Rogers (Lake Wales, Fla.) chalked up her second victory of the season with a three-hit, nine-strikeout effort after going the full 5.0 against Illinois State in the second of UF’s two clashes Saturday evening.
It was a phenomenal day for freshman Lauren Haeger (Peoria, Ariz), who earned her first start, and victory, in the circle for the Orange and Blue against Maine in the earlier game, fanning 11 of the 19 batters she faced, while giving up just three hits and walking one. In game two, Haeger showed her versatility at the plate, smashing an absolute three-run bomb over the center-field fence against the Redbirds for her first career homer as a Gator, giving Florida the minimum eight runs for a run rule in the bottom of the second. The Gators went on to make it an 11-run differential.
Before defeating Illinois State in the nightcap, Florida strung together an incredible one-out feat against Maine in the third inning following two scoreless frames for both squads, putting up a five spot after two-consecutive triples from senior Michelle Moultrie (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Sami Fagan, followed by two-consecutive doubles from Haeger and junior Brittany Schutte (Fountain Valley, Calif.) before Coyle finished off the rally with UF’s first home run of the season, a two-run shot to center field. The Gators added three more runs in the fifth, thanks to another Schutte double and a junior Kelsey Horton (Valrico, Fla.) homer that brought both home to seal the win.
Coyle struck with her inaugural grand slam in a Gator uniform to get the Gators on the board quick in the bottom of the first against Illinois State after Moultrie and Sami Fagan base hits, followed by an eventual Schutte walk that loaded the bags. A Kasey Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) RBI double added a fifth run in the first for Florida, while three runs each in the second inning – thanks to Haeger’s three-run homer – and fourth inning solidified UF’s third victory of 2012.
Between the Gators’ two games Saturday, Sami Fagan was a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate with five runs, a triple and one RBI, while Schutte batted .750 thanks to a 3-for-4 effort with two doubles and three RBI. Coyle and Moultrie both checked in with a .600 batting clip, each going 3-for-5, Coyle with two runs from her two homers and seven RBI, while Moultrie registered four runs and a triple on the evening.
UF continued to have stellar play from its freshmen, with four first-years in the infield at the same time in the second inning against the Redbirds with Haeger at first, Damico at second, Fagan at third and Medina at shortstop. The quartet had an impressive third inning, assisting in a three up, three down effort with an athletic snag from Medina at shortstop for the second out and a leaping effort from Damico at second for the final out.
Florida will take to the field versus tournament-host USF Sunday at 1:30 p.m. before playing its contest with FGCU, rescheduled for Sunday after rain delays Friday, at approximately 3:45 p.m. to finish off the opening weekend slate. Follow all of the Gators’ games this season, including tomorrow’s two contests, on Twitter @GatorZoneSBall or tune in locally on the radio at 104.9 FM, with the call by Mike Gillespie and former Gator All-American Megan Bush.
Rebels Sweep Ladyjacks At Seminole Classic
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Ole Miss used a big offense outburst and solid pitching to run-rule Stephen F. Austin in both games on day two at the Seminole Classic on Saturday. The Rebels (3-1) knocked off the Ladyjacks 9-0 in game one and 11-3 in game two. Ole Miss will face Florida State in the championship game of the Seminole Classic tomorrow 10:15 a.m.
Game One
Senior Kendall Bruning tossed a complete-game, two-hitter and the Rebel offense pounded out 12 hits, as Ole Miss run-ruled Stephen F. Austin 9-0 in five innings. Bruning (2-0) picked up the win with her second-straight complete game, after allowing no runs and just two hits in 5.0 innings of work. She struck out three and issued one walk.
The Rebels loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first thanks to an infield single by second baseman Corrine Doornberg and a pair of walks by Brittany Broome and RT Cantillo. Shortstop Allison Brown then smashed a sac fly to center that scored Doornberg and gave Ole Miss an early 1-0 lead.
Designated player Erinn Jayjohn doubled to lead off the second and later scored on a dropped pick off attempt by SFA shortstop Linda Linares. First baseman Londen Ladner added a two-run single up the middle later in the frame that gave the Rebels a 4-0 advantage after two.
Third baseman Cali Overbeck added to the Rebel lead in the fourth with a lead-off triple to right center and later scored on a Broome fielder’s choice to put Ole Miss up 5-0. The Rebels added four more runs in the fifth highlighted by a two-run sac fly from pinch hitter Natalie Nimmo and an RBI single to right by Doornberg.
Ladner and Nimmo both finished the game with two RBI each, while Doornberg collected three hits and scored three runs.
Game Two
Ole Miss pounded out 11 runs on seven hits and junior Erinn Jayjohn pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win, as the Rebels run-ruled Stephen F. Austin 11-3 in five innings in game two.
The Ladyjacks struck early with a run in the top of the first on an RBI single up the middle from first baseman Elizabeth Arana, but freshman shortstop Allison Brown gave the Rebels a lead in the bottom of the frame with a two-out, three-run homer down the left field line that put Ole Miss up 3-1 after the first. It marked Brown’s first career home run and the Rebels’ first homer of the season.
Stephen F. Austin tied the game at three in the third with a two-run single up the middle from third baseman Cadie Weaver, but the Rebels responded again with a bases-loaded, three-run double to left center from designated player Kendall Bruning that put Ole Miss back on top 6-3.
The Rebels tacked on five more runs in the fourth highlighted by an double RBI from Cali Overbeck and a pair of RBI singles from RT Cantillo and Marina Parra.
Jayjohn (1-0) picked up her first career win after allowing no runs on two hits in 2.2 innings. Kelly Chandler started for the Rebels and allowed three runs on three hits in 2.1 innings. She struck out three and walked three.
Loree Throws No-Hitter As Auburn Softball Beats IPFW 2-0
Senior pitcher Jenee Loree tossed her third-career no-hitter to lead the Auburn softball team to a 2-0- victory over Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW) Saturday at the Tiger Invitational. Auburn (4-0) will close out the tournament Sunday with a 2 p.m. game against Appalachian State.
“No-hitters don’t come around often and it was really great to see Jenee be able to get the job done,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “She did a great job keeping their hitters off balance and we played well enough defensively behind her. This was a tough game. Their pitcher did a great job and kept us from really stringing anything together offensively.”
For Loree, it was her first no-hitter since her freshman season of 2009. Loree threw a pair of no-hitters that season, the first against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in her first career start and again later that season against Austin Peay. Against IPFW, Loree fanned six and walked three in seven innings of work.
Courtney Cronin took the loss for IPFW (2-1). Cronin (1-1) allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in six innings of work.
Auburn took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of an IPFW error. Branndi Melero singled with one out and moved to second when Caitlin Jordan was hit by a pitch. With Melero taking her lead after the pitch, catcher Dani Pugh threw to second and Melero took third. The throw to second sailed into center without anyone covering the bag and Melero scored easily.
A walk to Elizabeth Eisterhold and a fielding error by the shortstop on a ground ball by Brooke Lathan loaded the bases for the Tigers, with Jordan at third, with just one out. A fielder’s choice ground ball by Lauren Guzman forced Jordan out at home but kept the bases loaded with two outs. But IPFW got out of the jam by forcing Caitlin Schultze into an inning-ending ground out to third.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Morgan Estell laced a two-out single to right to score Guzman. Guzman singled to open the bottom of the fourth and stole second. After a pair of called third strikes, Amber Harrison reached on an infield single to short, moving Guzman to third. Estell followed with a first-pitch single to right to plate Guzman.
Still without a hit in the sixth inning, IPFW put together its best scoring threat of the game. Loree walked leadoff hitter Kayti Hanson and sac bunt by Alex Bousquet moved her to second. Larissa Franklin followed with a fielder’s choice back to Loree, who fired to third wildly allowing Hanson to reach safely and Franklin to move to second. Loree regrouped and forced Ashleigh Bousquet to foul out to first and Courtney Cronin to ground out to third to end the inning with the Tigers maintaining a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Loree fanned Dani Pugh on a called third strike for the first out. On an 0-1 pitch, Loree hit Mackenzie Ritsema to bring the tying run to the plate. Loree worked the count to 1-2 on Stephanie Beuther and notched the second out of the inning on a swinging third strike, her sixth strikeout of the game.
With the tying run at first and go-ahead run at the plate, Loree sealed the win and the no-hitter when she forced Cassie Wolfe to foul out softly to Jordan at first.
Fisher Knocks In Four As Bulldogs Overpower Gamecocks, 8-1
Mobile, Ala. – Junior left fielder Shelby Fisher exploded for a career-high four RBIs and junior left-handed pitcher Kylie Vry pitched her second-straight complete game as the Mississippi State softball team (3-0) defeated Jacksonville State (0-2) by a score of 8-1 Saturday at Jaguar Field. Head coach Vann Stuedeman has now won her first three games as the leader of the Bulldog softball program, becoming the first MSU softball coach to accomplish the feat.
“I was extremely impressed by how our players came out with a focused mindset despite the early start time,” Stuedeman said. “Shelby Fisher and Jessica Offutt were awesome at the plate today and were responsible for six of our eight runs. I’m really proud of the fighting spirit we’re bringing to each game.”
In a rematch from their 3-2 exhibition triumph this past fall, the Bulldogs’ offense exploded for eight runs on nine hits, including nine base on balls. The nine walks tied for the seventh-most in a single game in school history and were the most since taking 10 free bases vs. Ole Miss on April 7, 2007.
Individually, Fisher led the team with four RBIs on a career-best tying two hits, including her first-career triple in the top of the third inning. Offutt’s day ended with career highs in hits (3) and runs (2), while tying her career mark with two runs batted in. Both Fisher (1) and Offutt (2) tied their collegiate bests in stolen bases as well. Also picking up hits were senior designated player Brittany Bell, sophomore second baseman Heidi Shape and freshman outfielder Ashley Phillips. Shape’s single was her first base knock of the season, while Phillips’ infield single was her first collegiate hit.
Going up against a team that has made four-straight NCAA Tournaments, Vry gave up one run on six hits with six strikeouts. For the first time in her career, the 5-foot-10 lefty pitched her second-straight complete game, becoming the first MSU pitcher with two-straight complete-game victories on consecutive days since senior teammate Lindsey Dunlap did so April 8-9, 2009. In her first two outings of 2012, opponents are hitting .184, including a microscopic 0.77 (1-for-13) with runners on base. In her six appearances dating back to last year, Vry owns a 1.57 earned run average.
A first-inning solo home run by Jacksonville State’s Shelby Holley was the only mistake Vry made Saturday. Trailing 1-0 after one, the Bulldogs immediately bounced back. Bell and juniors Erin Nesbit and Jessica Cooley walked in successive order to load the bases for Offutt. Playing in her home state, the sophomore center fielder connected on a first-pitch single to left to give State a lead it would never relinquish. With runners at the corners, senior first baseman Ka’ili Smith walked on four pitches to load the bases for Fisher. After JSU brought in new pitcher Hilary Phillips, Fisher picked up her first two RBIs of the morning with a single through the right side of the infield and advanced to second on the right fielder’s throw home. Two batters later, Smith arrived at the dish courtesy of a passed ball, concluding the scoring in State’s five-run second inning.
With Vry retiring the side in the bottom half of the second frame, Bully’s bats went at it again with a three-run third inning. Cooley started it off by walking on a full count and advanced to second on an infield single by the speedy Offutt. Following Smith’s only strikeout of 2012, Fisher tripled down the line in right, plating both Cooley and Offutt. Two Bulldogs later, Shape stepped up and notched her first RBI of the year to give MSU its final seven-run margin.
Starkville’s team wraps up its opening weekend at the 2012 Mardi Gras Invitational Sunday with a 10 a.m. first pitch against 2011 NCAA Tournament squad Memphis. Fans can visit HailState.com for live stats and follow along at Twitter.com/MStateSB for live in-game updates.
Razorbacks grab two more wins
Waco, Texas. – The University of Arkansas Razorbacks softball team grabbed two wins in its second day of play at the Getterman Classic, in Waco, Texas where it beat Iowa 10-2 and seventh ranked Baylor 5-1.
In their first match up of the day the Razorbacks took on Iowa at 10 a.m. Arkansas had its bats swinging in the first inning when it scored nine runs including two home runs from freshman Devon Wallace and sophomore Clarisa Navarro.
“We were really excited about the way we started the game,” said Head Coach Mike Larabee. “To put up nine runs against a quality opponent makes us really excited.”
Navarro, the shortstop led the team with two hits and three RBI. Wallace also added two RBI which gives her a total of six on the weekend thus far.
Freshman Ciara Clampitt and junior Chelsea Cohen shared time in the circle only allowing two runs and three walks while each collecting a strike out. Clampitt recorded her first win as a Razorback throwing 62 pitches.
Iowa got on the board in the third scoring one run and again in the fourth bring the score to 9-2. Sierra Bronkey came up to bat in the top of the fifth and blasted in a homerun; third of the game for the Razorbacks. Iowa was unable to answer in the bottom of the inning, which led to a run rule, ending the game in five innings.
“The thing I was most excited about was our rock solid defense,” said Larabee. “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”
In the second game of the day the Razorbacks faced Baylor, the number seven team in the country at its home field, Getterman Park.
Baylor struck first scoring one run in the top of the third, but Arkansas did not back down. Mort was brought in for a run in the bottom of the third to tie the game at one. In the fourth inning the Razorbacks went to work bringing in four runs starting with sophomore, Ashley Martindale’s battle at the plate in which she eventually was granted a walk. A single and a double by sophomores Chloe Oprzedek and Amanda Geile brought Martindale home. After a string of walks thrown by Baylor’s pitcher the inning ended with Arkansas scoring four runs and taking the lead 5-1.
Freshman Kimmy Beasley owned the circle against Baylor. She threw 92 pitches in seven innings grabbing two strikeouts and only allowing one walk and six hits. This improves her record to 2-0 for the season and her career as a Razorback.
“Kimmy had unbelievable composure during the game,” said Larabee. “She didn’t look like a freshman pitcher out there in the circle.”
The Razorbacks are back in action tomorrow at 11 a.m. where they will take on Wichita State in their last game in the Getterman Classic. A live blog and live stats will be posted on Arkansas Razorbacks.com.
Bulldogs Tab Two Wins Over Utah State, St. John’s
ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia softball team (3-0) earned two wins on Saturday in day two of the Red and Black Showcase after notching an 8-0 win in five innings against Utah State (2-2) and a 2-1 victory in extra innings over St. John’s (0-4).
“I think it’s very good to have to stay competitive in extra inning games,” Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer said of the second game. “You really have to keep your composure, continue to play ball and get out of tough situations to win the game.”
Game One – Georgia 8, Utah State 0 (5 Inn.)
The Bulldogs picked up an 8-0 win over Utah State (2-2) in game one. Ashley Pauly led Georgia with two hits, both doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Morgan Montemayor earned her first win of the season, hurling a five-inning complete game shutout. The sophomore allowed just one hit and struck out eight.
Utah State’s Mandy Harmon suffered the loss and fell to 0-2. She allowed eight runs, seven earned, on four hits and eight walks.
Niaja Griffin plated Georgia’s first run of the game when Tess Sito, who reached on a walk, stole second, allowing Griffin to score from third and give Georgia an early 1-0 lead.
Georgia used a pair of doubles by Pauly and a third by Kristyn Sandberg to score six runs in the bottom of the third. Pauly led off the inning with a standup double that was followed by a Utah State error that put Sito at first. With a pair of runners in scoring position, Sandberg belted a bases-clearing double to right field that made it a 3-0 game. With two outs, Georgia loaded the bases with a pair of walks. Georgia pushed two more runs across as Anna Swafford drew a walk and Griffin was hit by a pitch. Pauly’s second two-base hit of the inning scored both Swafford and Macie Couey and stretched Georgia’s lead to 7-0.
The Bulldogs made it an 8-0 game with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning after Utah State issued a pair of walks to Sandberg and Brittney Hubbard. Couey brought home Sandberg on an RBI infield single for the final run of the game.
Game Two – Georgia 2, St. John’s 1 (8 Inn.)
Georgia tabbed its third victory of the season after a competitive 2-1 battle with St. John’s that went into an extra inning. Erin Arevalo (2-0) earned the win after striking out a career-high 12 batters and allowing four runs and no walks.
St. John’s Ashley Beza (0-2) took the loss after giving up 10 hits and striking out four.
The Bulldogs jumped out 1-0 in the first after Sito took a pitch over the right field wall. That marks the junior’s first home run of her Bulldog career and the team’s second of the season.
From the second inning through the sixth, pitching and defense held off St. John’s, as the Red Storm left two players stranded and only gained one hit. Arevalo kept the runners off the bags during those four innings by posting eight strikeouts, all of which she caught them swinging.
After a home run from St. John’s Kacee Cox in the seventh, Sandberg doubled to center field in the eighth to bring Sito in for the game-deciding run.
The Bulldogs return to Jack Turner Stadium for the final day of the Red and Black Showcase on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to face Campbell and NC State, respectively.
Gamecocks Rebound With Two Wins on Saturday in Palmetto Classic
South Carolina (2-1) won two games on Saturday in the Palmetto Classic, coming from behind to beat Western Kentucky 5-4 in eight innings before downing Winthrop 8-1. Senior Kaitlin Westfall went 2-for-3 with two game-tying hits and three RBI, while sophomore Dana Hathorn had the game-ending single against the Hilltoppers. Sophomore Chelsea Hawkins had four RBI in a 2-for-3 outing in game two, including a homer. The Gamecocks wrap up their play in the Palmetto Classic against Cleveland State at 1:30 PM on Sunday.
Gamecocks Come Back to Down Western Kentucky, 5-4, in Eight
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senior leftfielder Kaitlin Westfall tied it in the eighth before sophomore second baseman Dana Hathorn ended it with a single to left to give South Carolina (1-1) its first win of 2012, downing Western Kentucky (2-1) 5-4 in the second game of the Palmetto Classic on Saturday afternoon.
The Gamecocks had to respond after the Hilltoppers posted two runs in the top of the eighth on Mallorie Sulaski’s double, scoring Kelsie Mattox and Karavin Dew after both reached on hit by pitches.
But the Gamecocks did respond, as senior centerfielder Lauren Lackey started the inning on second thanks to the international tiebreaker in effect for all tournament extra-inning games and moved to third on a grounder. Junior rightfielder Hannah Milks drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a passed ball. Westfall came up and drove a 1-2 pitch over the WKU centerfielder, scoring both runners. Senior third baseman Evan Childs singled to move Westfall to third, setting up Hathorn’s heroics. The sophomore poked the 0-1 offering inside the left field foul line, scoring Westfall easily to end the game.
Western Kentucky took the 2-0 lead in the first on Amanda Thomas’s two-run double. That scored Shawna Sadler and Mattox, who reached on a walk and a hit by pitch, respectively.
The Gamecocks chipped away at the lead in the fifth, as senior pinch runner Jackie Slawson scored from third after senior Kylie Morin started a rundown with one out between first and second. South Carolina tied it in the sixth on Westfall’s triple over the Hilltopper rightfielder, scoring junior shortstop Samie Garcia from second after her one-out double.
Westfall went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a double and triple, while Hathorn went 3-for-4 with the game-ending RBI. Sulaski went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI for Western Kentucky.
Redshirt junior Audrey Broyles (1-0) went the distance, allowing four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven. Emily Rousseau (1-1) took the loss, throwing 7.1 innings and giving up five runs, four earned, on eight hits and three walks. She struck out five.
Bats Come Alive in 8-1 Win over Winthrop
COLUMBIA, S.C. –South Carolina’s (2-1) bats came alive in the top of the first and led the team to an 8-1 win over in-state rival Winthrop (1-2) in the Gamecocks’ second matchup of the day at the Palmetto Classic at Beckham Field on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore Chelsea Hawkins led the Gamecocks with a 2-for-3 day, hitting a homer and driving in four. Junior Hannah Milks went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Sophomore Dana Hathorn and freshman Olivia Lawrence both had 2-for-4 games, with Lawrence posting a double in her first career start. Senior Molly Brossart scored twice as well.
Junior shortstop Samie Garcia led off the game with a single but sat down after Milks reached on a fielder’s choice. Milks advanced to second on a passed ball and came home by senior leftfielder Katelyn Westfall’s single to center. The Gamecocks loaded the bases after senior Evan Childs’ fielder’s choice, Hathorn’s single and Brossart’s walk. Hawkins drove in Childs and Hathorn on a single, and Lawrence singled through the right side to bring in Brossart, handing the Gamecocks the 4-0 lead.
The Eagles got on the board in the bottom of the third when second baseman Kristy Noble, who singled to centerfield and worked her way to third, benefited from leftfielder McKenzie Corn’s sacrifice fly to left center. Winthrop threatened again in the bottom of the fourth, getting runners on second and third with just one out, but the Gamecocks sat down the next two batters to keep the Eagles from crossing the plate.
The Garnet and Black added to their lead in the sixth when a two-out, two-RBI double by Milks brought home Garcia and sophomore Codee Yeske, stretching the lead to 6-1.
Winthrop made another attempt to rally in the bottom of the sixth. Schoenfeldt singled through the right side, third baseman Alex White reached on an error and centerfielder Melanie Andrea walked to load the bases with no outs. Two straight defensive plays by the outfield kept the Eagles from attempting to tag up and an unassisted play at third base squelched the rally.
South Carolina added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh when Hawkins sent a shot over the fence in right center, scoring freshman Lacey Rother after her first hit as a Gamecock, to make the score 8-1.
Redshirt junior Audrey Broyles, who pitched a complete game in the eight-inning win over Western Kentucky, tossed 1.1 innings before giving way to freshman Katelynn Howser (1-0). Howser struck out one batter and allowed three hits in 4.2 innings and claimed the win. Senior Kierstyn White completed the final inning for the Gamecocks. Schonefeldt (1-1) took the loss for the Eagles, giving up four earned runs on five hits and a walk in 0.2 innings.
Earlier in the Palmetto Classic, Western Kentucky beat Winthrop 8-5.
South Carolina takes on Cleveland State at 1:30 p.m. EST in the second game of Sunday’s slate at the Palmetto Classic. Due to an expected freeze, all game times have been pushed back an hour for Sunday’s contests. Western Kentucky and Tennessee State start the day at 11 a.m., while Winthrop and the TSU Tigers close the event at 4 p.m.
Tarango, Brown Homers Help Tennessee Rally Past San Diego State, 6-5
TEMPE, Ariz. – Faced with a 4-1 deficit through four innings during Kajikawa Classic action on Saturday afternoon at Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., No. 9 Tennessee got clutch home runs from freshman first baseman Cheyanne Tarango and junior third baseman Melissa Brown to rally past San Diego State, 6-5.
Lady Vol sophomore pitcher Ellen Renfroe improved to 3-0 on the season by firing 3.0 frames of relief, allowing four hits and striking out five. The Jackson, Tenn., native still hasn’t allowed a single run over 17 total innings of work while allowing just seven base knocks and posting 30 strikeouts. Junior Ivy Renfroe got the start in the circle, permitting five runs on nine hits over four frames of effort with a walk and three K’s.
For Tarango (1-for-4, HR, two RBIs) her two-run blast during Tennessee’s four-run fifth inning marked the first big fly of her collegiate career. Brown (2-for-4, run) ended up recording the game-winning hit for the second consecutive match-up by blasting her solo HR in the top of the sixth. The Valencia, Calif., native doubled during the fifth inning on Fri., night to knock in the winning run in UT’s 1-0 triumph over Texas Tech.
Senior center fielder Ashley Andrews (1-for-3, run), junior second baseman Lauren Gibson (0-for-4, run) and sophomore shortstop Madison Shipman (1-for-3) were each credited with an RBI.
After a quick first inning for both teams, Tennessee missed a huge scoring opportunity in the bottom of the second by leaving the bases juiced. Shipman led off the frame with an infield single and was soon joined on the base paths as senior designated player Shelby Burchell and freshman catcher Hannah Akamine were hit by pitches, packing the bags with two down. Unfortunately, a swinging strikeout ended the inning with the contest still scoreless.
San Diego State wasted no time getting on the board via a power display after escaping the jam in the previous half inning. Right fielder Patrice Jackson battled to a full count before driving an offering over the wall in left center for a 1-0 lead. On the very next pitch catcher Kristin May ripped a shot just over the fence in right for back-to-back HR’s as the advantage grew to two runs. After a brief coaching visit to the circle, Renfroe got left fielder Kayla Jordan to pop-up to second. Third baseman Ashley Rose followed with a double into the gap in right center, but UT’s 6-0 right-hander responded by getting back-to-back lineouts to short and second, respectively, to end the frame with no further damage.
The Aztecs gave the Big Orange a little help starting the top of the third as a chopper back to the circle from junior right fielder Whitney Hammond was thrown wide of first for an error. Micetich’s errant toss ended up rolling down the right field line as Hammond raced all the way around to third. With one out Gibson chopped a slow roller to short that proved plenty to plate Hammond from third, cutting the Tennessee deficit to 2-1.
SDSU responded immediately to UT’s brief rally as Jackson singled and May doubled to christen a threat in the bottom of the fourth. Jordan followed by ripping the first pitch she received up the middle for an RBI as the Aztec lead grew to 3-1. A fielder’s choice to short cut down a runner at second, but permitted pinch runner Jacki Campa the opportunity to scamper home for a 4-1 advantage. An infield single from shortstop Hayley Miles loaded the bases with one out, but Renfroe struck out second baseman Katie Mathis and got a pop-up to second from center fielder Lorena Klopp to end the opportunity.
Sophomore left fielder Melissa Davin got the Lady Vol offense off and running in the top of the fifth by blasting a shot off the top of the outfield wall, resulting in one of the longest singles you’ll see. Andrews stepped up and slapped a double down the line that plated her teammate and cut the deficit to 4-2. After a wild pitch advanced Andrews up 60 feet to third, Gibson grounded a ball on the infield that should have proven a routine out. Andrews baited the fielder, however, by pretending to go home, but slid back into third as Gibson reached safely on the fielder’s choice. That set the stage for a long sacrifice fly off the bat of Shipman as Andrews crossed to cut the deficit to a single tally. Tarango stepped into the batter’s box facing a huge spot and delivered in a major way, bashing her first collegiate homer, a two-run shot, to grant Tennessee its first lead of the contest at 5-4.
The battle continued into the bottom of the fifth as back-to-back base knocks from Maeva and Jackson ended the stint in the circle for Ivy Renfroe as her sister Ellen entered in relief. The new hurler immediately struck out Kristin May, but allowed an RBI double to Jordan as pinch runner Tiffany Corder crossed to dead-lock the count at 5-5. The Jackson, Tenn., native in the circle managed to get the Big Orange out of the inning with consecutive strikeouts of Rose and pinch hitter Kamerin May.
Brown restored the Lady Vols’ advantage during the initial at-bat of the top of the sixth by driving a ball just out of Farrington Stadium for a 6-5 advantage. With one out a slap single by sophomore pinch hitter Tory Lewis, a stolen base and back-to-back walks by Hammond and Andrews loaded the bags with just one out. Unfortunately, consecutive UT strikeouts left the trio stranded on the base paths.
Things got a little concerning for the Big Orange during the bottom of the seventh as Jackson and May laced one-out base hits, putting two on for the Aztecs. Jordan ripped a base hit up the middle as Jackson roared around third on the way to the plate. Andrews fielded the ball and fired a one-hop strike home, nailing the runner by a step and preserving Tennessee’s one-run lead. A tough fielder’s choice to third was handled on a short hop by Brown. She turned quickly and stepped on the bag to end the thrilling contest.
The Orange & White are back in action later tonight at Farrington Stadium against No. 1 Arizona State at 7 p.m. MT.
Complete Team Effort as #9 Tennessee Knocks Off #1 Arizona State, 3-0
TEMPE, Ariz. – On Saturday night in Kajikawa Classic action at the Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., sophomore shortstop Madison Shipman doubled in two runs, junior second baseman Lauren Gibson blasted a solo home run and sophomore pitcher Ellen Renfroe scattered seven total hits in her fourth consecutive shutout as the #9 Tennessee softball team (4-1) knocked off #1 and defending national champion Arizona State (4-2), 3-0.
This marks the second straight season that the Big Orange have downed a #1 squad after defeating top-ranked Alabama, 4-1, back on March 22, 2011, in Knoxville, and the program’s fourth victory over a #1 or #2-ranked team over the last two seasons.
UT again played tonight without the services of All-American third baseman and lead-off hitter Raven Chavanne and All-American outfielder Kat Dotson, who both continue recovery from injury.
Renfroe (4-0) still hasn’t allowed a run over four appearances, posting a perfect 0.00 ERA in 24 innings of work with 36 strikeouts. Against the Sun Devils, the Jackson, Tenn., native walked only one and struck out six in the complete-game effort.
For Gibson the big fly was her second of the campaign and provided valuable seventh inning insurance off Arizona State All-American pitcher Dallas Escobedo (37-3 overall in 2011).
“Our team played great tonight against a very strong Arizona State team with All-American Dallas Escobedo in the circle,” Lady Vol Co-Head Coach Ralph Weekly said. “I was especially pleased with the players who stepped into roles normally covered by Raven Chavanne and Kat Dotson. Tory Lewis gave us a big boost right from the start, and Ashley Andrews was fantastic.
“This was a great atmosphere tonight with over 1,300 fans in attendance. Our team responded to what adversity the crowd provided, especially our defense, which turned a big 6-4-3 double play and provided two incredible catches in the outfield. I told the team before the game that a wounded animal is often the most dangerous animal, and we’ve been wounded so far this season.
“I also want to say how much I appreciated the brief ceremony ASU held prior to the game, honoring me for the Hall of Fame and for being an Arizona State grad. It meant a lot to me.”
Back-to-back walks to open the contest by sophomore center fielder Tory Lewis and senior third baseman Ashley Andrews got the Lady Vols off to a great start against ASU All-American pitcher Escobedo in the top of the first. In fact, Andrews’ at-bat was incredible as the Tumwater, Wash., native battled over 14 pitches, fouling off nine offerings, before drawing the free pass. Following a perfect sacrifice bunt by Gibson, Shipman blasted a double into the gap for a pair of RBI’s as Tennessee nabbed a quick 2-0 advantage.
The Sun Devil offense attempted to get right back on level terms in the bottom half of the first as shortstop Katelyn Boyd and first baseman Christina Zambrana opened the frame with back-to-back singles. Renfroe bore down, however, getting Annie Lockwood to fly out to center, striking out U.S. Junior National Team member Amber Freeman and getting center fielder Elizabeth Caporuscio to ground out to one of UT’s very own U.S. Junior National Team members freshman first baseman Cheyanne Tarango.
Tennessee missed a big two-out scoring opportunity in the top of the third as a walk by Tarango, a single that rolled to the wall off the bat of senior right fielder Shelby Burchell and junior third baseman Melissa Brown getting hit by a pitch loaded the bases full of Lady Vols. Unfortunately, a strikeout left the bags packed and kept ASU trailing by just a 2-0 count.
With one down in the bottom of the third, Boyd drove a ball to deep center that just eluded a leaping Tory Lewis at the wall. The ASU shortstop rolled easily into third on the play for a stand-up triple. Amazingly, and a credit to Renfroe, she never moved an inch as Zambrana struck out swinging, and right fielder Annie Lockwood flew out to mid-right to end the threat.
UT again had a prime scoring chance in the top of the fourth go awry after consecutive one-out singles by Lewis and Andrews as a foul out and fly ball to right left led the duo stranded at first and second.
Freeman, the initial Sun Devil batter of the bottom of the fourth, crushed a pitch to deep left that looked as if it might leave Farrington Stadium. Newly entered defensive sub Holly Baker tracked the towering fly back to the fence, jumped up and caught the ball at the very top of the wall to record her own personal “web gem.” Just three batters later with Sam Parlich stationed at first after a walk, Burchell contributed her own “web gem” grab with a basket catch on the run in short right center to end the frame.
ASU designated player Bailey Wigness christened the bottom of the fifth with a perfect slap single out in front of the plate. Left fielder Taylor Haro lifted a short pop behind second that was tracked down on a great back-handed catch by second baseman Gibson for the initial out of the frame. From there Boyd hit into a fielder’s choice to third as Andrews tossed to Gibson covering second to retire the lead runner, and then Zambrana chopped back to the circle for the third out.
A base knock up the middle by Lockwood in the bottom of the sixth marked the second consecutive frame that the Sun Devils had gotten their lead-off batter on base. Freeman got ahead of Renfroe in the count 3-1 before bouncing a ball to short. Shipman handled the sphere, tossed to Gibson at second and she fired on to Tarango at first for a huge 6-4-3 double play. That de-railed the ASU threat as Caporuscio grounded harmlessly to second, retiring the side.
After helping on the decisive defensive play of the sixth frame, Gibson blasted a pitch out of Farrington Stadium with one out in the top of the seventh, improving Tennessee’s advantage to 3-0.
A full-swinging cue ball off the end of the bat from ASU third baseman Haley Steele checked up just out in front of the plate for a lead-off base hit in the bottom of the seventh. The runner failed to faze Renfroe as she coerced a pop-up behind the dish that was caught by freshman catcher Hannah Akamine and then struck out Wigness and pinch hitter Nikole Afusia to end the huge Lady Vol victory.
Homers Not Enough to Propel UK Past UCLA
LOS ANGELES – Despite the squad’s first back-to-back home runs of the season from sophomores Ginny Carroll and Krystal Smith, the No. 13 Kentucky softball team could not overcome the powerful offense of No. 19 UCLA in its final game at the Stacy Windsberg Memorial Tournament in Los Angeles. UCLA prevailed behind a 6-2 score. Kentucky’s offense missed out on several opportunities to plate scores as the Wildcats stranded eight total runners in scoring position in the game.
With the loss, Kentucky concludes the weekend 1-3 and UCLA improves to 4-0 to begin the season. The long balls by the sophomore tandem marked the first career homers from both batters.
Kentucky will resume action Friday, Feb. 17 with a pair of games at the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla. UK will play Maryland (11 a.m.) and Wright State (1 p.m. ) to begin the three-day tournament.
The Blue and White logged its first back-to-back homers of the year when Carroll opened the second inning with a shot over the left-center wall. Smith followed suit with a towering bomb over the left field fence that cleared the scoreboard to help the Wildcats pull to within one at 3-2.
Kentucky began the opening stanza strong when senior Brittany Cervantes drew a leadoff walk. Senior Rachel Riley and sophomore Emily Jolly followed suit to load the bases for the Blue and White, but the visitors could not convert the excellent opportunity as the inning concluded on a pop-up to short with the bases still jammed.
UCLA struck first with three runs in the home half of the first. The Bruins benefited from a pair of UK errors and tallied three hits to plate three unearned runs and charge ahead 3-0.
With Kentucky responding with a pair of runs Riley induced a pair of outs to open the bottom of the second. The Bruins then managed a lucky double that just laced the right field line, but Smith came up with a nifty grab and pitch to help the Wildcats escape the inning unscathed.
UCLA looked as if it would extend its lead in the home half of the third as the Bruins loaded the bases with just one out. Riley first got a Bruin to ground to Aubrey Lamar at third who astutely tossed it home for the force out. The senior right-hander then forced a fly-out to Jolly in center to exit the inning without further damage.
Kentucky fell in order in the top of the fourth, and UCLA responded by getting consecutive base runners aboard thanks to a pair of singles. Riley then induced a grounder to Smith who came up with a spectacular double-play effort by tagging the runner moving from first to second and then tossing the ball to sophomore Lauren Cumbess at first to complete the play. Smith again received a grounder during the next at-bat and calmly snared the ball and made the out to prevent further scores by the home team.
UCLA returned the favor to the Wildcats as UK placed consecutive runners aboard to begin the fifth. Cervantes drew her second walk of the game and junior Kara Dill smacked her first hit of the season through the left side. Riley moved the runners ahead a bag with a slow grounder back to second base, but UK suffered consecutive outs with runners in scoring position.
The Bruins finally capitalized on an opportunity in the fifth to surge ahead 6-2 behind three runs in the frame. UCLA plated the scores behind five hits and one more UK error.
Carroll logged a one-out walk in the top of the sixth and Smith advanced the runner with a well-placed sacrifice bunt in an attempt to jump-start the offense. The Wildcats could not put together an offensive rhythm, however, as the inning closed on a strikeout.
Despite committing its fourth error of the game, UK held the Bruins scoreless in the sixth persevering the four-run deficit for a late-game rally attempt.
Dill earned her second hit of the game with a one-out single into shallow center field in the top of the seventh. Dill then swiped her second base of the game to move into scoring position, but the inning concluded on consecutive outs again with UK leaving a runner in scoring position.
Alabama Softball Swings its Way to Day Two Sweep
MOBILE, Ala. – Despite the cold temperatures the Alabama bats were anything but as the Crimson Tide combined to score 27 runs on 27 hits in a sweep of its two games Saturday at the Mardi Gras Invitational. Alabama opened the day with a 15-4 win over Lipscomb and closed the day with a 12-1 victory over South Alabama.
Junior Jackey Branham paced the Tide at the plate with a 5-for-6 effort, scoring four runs and driving in four. Sophomore Kaila Hunt smacked two home runs and collected four hits while seniors Jazlyn Lunceford and Jennifer Fenton added four hits as well.
Game 1
Alabama erupted for 15 runs on 13 hits to run away from Lipscomb, 15-4, to start its day Saturday at the Mardi Gras Invitational.
Sophomore Kaila Hunt and junior Courtney Conley went deep for the Crimson Tide as Alabama smashed eight extra base hits in the win. UA scored four in the second, three in the fourth, two in the fifth and finished off Lipscomb with six in the sixth to secure its second run-rule victory in as many games.
Junior Jackey Branham paced the Tide at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 day. Branham drove in three and scored three times in her season debut.
Conley added a 2-for-2 effort with two runs and two RBI while Hunt also collected two hits, scored twice and drove in two.
Junior Kayla Braud tallied two doubles, scored twice, drove in two and stole a base while senior Jennifer Fenton recorded two hits, scored a run, drove in one and swiped two bases.
Freshman Leslie Jury earned her first collegiate win as she came in for junior Lauren Sewell in relief. Jury allowed one run on one hit in 3 1/3 innings of work. Sewell tossed 2 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits while fanning two.
Game 2
Alabama scored five first inning runs and never looked back as the Crimson Tide run-ruled host South Alabama in five innings by the score of 12-1, Saturday night.
Senior Jazlyn Lunceford tallied three hits and scored two runs with an RBI while fellow senior Amanda Locke drove in three and hit a towering home run.
Sophomore Kaila Hunt belted her third home run in as many games as she collected two hits and scored twice. Junior Jackey Branham continued her hot hitting with two more knocks, scoring a run and driving in another.
Jackie Traina improved to 2-0 on the season as she pitched four innings, allowed just two hits and struck out eight. Locke allowed an unearned run on two hits while striking out one in one inning of relief.
The Tide collected 14 hits and scored three runs in the third, one in the fourth and three more in the fifth. Eight different players collected at least one hit for Alabama.
Alabama will close out the tournament with a single contest against Jacksonville State. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., at Jaguar Field.
No. 22 LSU Softball Dumps Penn State for Torina’s First Win
BATON ROUGE – The No. 22 LSU softball team emerged with a 1-0 eight-inning victory over Penn State after dropping a tightly-contested 2-1 decision to No. 15 Michigan Saturday during day two of Tiger Classic at Tiger Park.
After the game in the locker room, the LSU (1-2) players presented head coach Beth Torina with her very own special puzzle piece to signify her first win with the Tigers.
“It was exciting and good to get the first one (win),” head coach Beth Torina said. “Hopefully, the rest of them (wins) come a little bit easier, but I know we are going to fight hard for all of them this year.
In her season debut, Rachele Fico tossed a two-hitter to secure the victory over Penn State (1-2). She retired 14 of the last 16 batters and picked up 10 strikeouts against six walks.
Ashley Langoni drew four walks to equal a program single-game record, the final one coming to open the eighth inning. A wild pitch and a PSU fielding error allowed Langoni to advance to third base.
Two batters later, Tammy Wray battled back from a 0-2 count. She worked the count full and knocked a chopper over the pitcher’s circle which allowed Langoni to score the game’s only run.
Ashley Applegate extended her hitting streak to three games with a double to left centerfield in the seventh inning. Simone Heyward made a pair of spectacular diving catches to save runs during the fourth and eighth inning, respectively.
“The defense did a phenomenal job, and they kept me in the game,” Fico said. “Simone was incredible in centerfield. She really came up big today defensively. I just wanted to keep my team in it long enough so we could come through and score.
Down 2-0 in the sixth inning to No. 15 Michigan, the Tigers mounted a comeback effort. Jacee Blades sparked the rally with a textbook bunt single down the first base line. She moved to third base on Applegate’s double to right centerfield.
Pinch hitter Dylan Supak grounded out into a fielder’s choice, and Blades was tagged out at the plate. Juliana Santos belted a RBI-single through the middle to plate Applegate to pull LSU within 2-1.
The Tigers started the seventh inning with an A.J. Andrews leadoff walk. After a Morgan Russell sacrifice bunt moved Andrews into scoring position, Wray lined out to shortstop followed by an Allison Falcon ground out to end the comeback attempt.
Michigan’s Sara Driesenga improved to 2-0 with the victory. She carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and fanned two batters.
LSU’s Brittany Mack was dealt the loss and fell to 0-2. She was tagged for 11 hits and tallied six strikeouts. It marked only the fourth time that Mack has dropped back-to-back losses in her career.
The Wolverines (3-0) jumped on the scoreboard during the first inning and parlayed Bree Evans leadoff single into the game’s first run. She advanced to third base on a Nicole Sappingfield single. Two batters later, Ashley Lane slapped a two-out, RBI-double down the left field line. Evans and Sappingfield notched three hits apiece to fuel an 11-hit attack for Michigan.
LSU wraps up opening weekend Sunday versus Louisiana Tech with first pitch is slated for 12:30 p.m., while Michigan and Penn State face off at 10 a.m.