Tuesday, April 8, 2008

TUSCULUM SOFTBALL SWEEPS CRUSADERS

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader over visiting North Greenville Tuesday afternoon at Red Edmonds Field. Ashley Whitehead tossed a three-hit shut out to win the opener 3-0, while the Pioneers rallied from a 2-1 deficit to capture the night-cap 7-2.

Game 1: Tusculum 5, North Greenville 0

Ashley Basilicato went 3-for-3 with a double and her seventh home run of the year to lead Tusculum to a 5-0 victory. Basilicato drove in three of TC’s five runs, including a pair on her two-run blast in the third inning to spot the Pioneers a 3-0 lead.

TC got on the board first when Rachel Wilburn drew a two-out walk, moved to second on a single by Basilicato and scored on Jess Greer’s RBI hit.

Tusculum added two more runs in the fifth inning, including a run scoring double by Basilicato.

Whitehead (3-8) was outstanding as she retired the side in order four times, while accounting for a pair of strikeouts and no walks in her seven innings of work. NGU starter Kristyn Smith suffered the loss, falling to 6-11 on the year.

Game 2: Tusculum 7, North Greenville 2

Greer and Shanda Kimbrough accounted for two hits each as the Pioneers completed the sweep of the Crusaders with a 7-2 win in game two.

Tusculum scored the first run of the contest in the second inning when Kimbrough reached on a two-out single, moved to second on an error and scored on a base-hit by Taylor MacDonald. NGU mounted a two-rally of its own in the third as Lindsey Eargle singled and scored on Allison Bailey’s fourth home run of the season for a 2-1 Crusader lead.

The Pioneers answered with three unearned runs in the next frame as two scored on a fielding error and Kimbrough drove in another with a single to move TC in front 4-2. Tusculum extended its lead in the fourth inning as Wilburn connected on a two-out double. After an intentional walk to Basilicato, Greer and Samantha Cole followed with back-to-back singles to lead 7-2.

Eargle, Bailey and Kayla Farmer each posted two hits in the loss for the Crusaders.

Senior starter Megan DuBois evened her record at 6-6 as she went the distance, scattering eight hits, two runs, walked one and struck out three.

Tusculum (15-22), who has won four of its last six, will host Tennessee Wesleyan on Thursday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.

- TC -