Saturday, February 16, 2008

TUSCULUM SOFTBALL SPLITS AT BELMONT ABBEY

BELMONT, N.C. --- Tusculum College softball team split its doubleheader with host Belmont Abbey College Saturday afternoon at Crusader Field. Tusculum won the opener 10-0 in six innings before Belmont Abbey rallied to win the second game 5-4.

Game one was scoreless until the third inning when the Pioneers plated two on a double by Ashley Basilicato, and added one more in the fifth on a Taylor MacDonald double. The Pioneers then exploded for seven runs in the sixth as they sent 12 batters to the plate in the frame. The Abbey went down in order in the sixth as the game ended there.

Ashley Whitehead earned the win, allowing just one hit in six scoreless innings, striking out three. Jessica Bennett took the loss as she allowed three runs on five hits in four and one-thirds innings, striking out four.

The second game was a closer affair as the Crusaders rallied from a 4-2 deficit by scoring two in the fifth and one more in the sixth to win 5-4.

The Pioneers scored one in the top of the first but the Abbey answered with two of its own in the bottom half. Jessica Inman was hit by a pitch, moved to second on an bunt single by Abby Threatt, and Dani Beres brought both of them home with a double to give the Crusaers a 2-1 lead.

Tusculum answered with three in the third to take a 4-2 advantage, and that was all of the scoring until the bottom of the fifth when the Abbey tied the game at four, scoring both runs with two outs. Alysia Stewart reached on a fielder's choice, and after a strikeout, Candace Cady and Desiree Carron consecutive doubles, with Cady's scoring Stewart and Carron bringing home Cady to tie the game at four.

Belmont Abbey scored the go-ahead run in the sixth as Beres singled home Inman, who reached on a one-out single. Carrie Markham retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to preserve the win.

Markham struck out six and walked none, allowing four runs on seven hits in a complete game effort. Cadenhead took the loss after giving up the winning run. She allowed one run on three hits in one inning of work.

- TC -