SC State Close Out Home Season with Win over North Carolina Central
Orangeburg, S.C.- SC State closed out its 2011 home season with a 5-1 win over North Carolina Central. With the win, the Lady Bulldogs captured the non-conference three-game series, 2-1.
Freshman Vianney Gomez had her best pitching outing of the season as she allowed just one run off four hits with five strikeouts and no walks in the contest. SC State (10-39) scored one run in the second, one in third, one in the fourth and two in fifth en route to its 5-1 victory. The Lady Bulldogs also had three RBI's in the contest. Senior Tonya Giles, who was playing in her final home game at SC State, had an outstanding offensive outing for the Lady Bulldogs. For the game, Giles scored two runs with two hits including a home run with one RBI.
Catcher Amanda Searls scored North Carolina Central's lone run in the top of the seventh inning. Kayla McPeek was credited with the loss for the Lady Eagles who fell to 7-33 on the season.
For the complete story, visit www.scsuathletics.com or www.nccueaglepride.com
Norfolk State Extends Wins Streak to Nine
NORFOLK, Va. -Norfolk State ran its wins streak to nine games and finished up the home portion of its schedule with a 9-0, six-inning victory over North Carolina A&T Sunday afternoon at the NSU Softball Field.
Junior Casey Pomeroy pitched her second shutout in a row and juniors Danielle Wright and Whitney Holland tallied three RBI each as NSU improved to 19-23 overall and 6-6 in the MEAC. The Aggies fell to 7-32, 1-8 and managed just five hits in the game.
Pomeroy (10-8) gave up five hits with six strikeouts and just one walk in six innings. A&T's Hope Fletcher (6-14) allowed 11 hits and nine earned runs in 5.2 innings before Wright's two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth ended the game on the eight-run rule. Fletcher also gave out seven free passes while failing to record a strikeout.
Wright went 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI, while Holland also added a pair of hits with her three runs batted in. Freshman Nikki Jones and junior Jeanette Sauceda each added two hits on the afternoon. Pomeroy won her fifth straight game and has allowed just four runs in the last 32.1 innings.
For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.ncataggies.com
Howard Softball Taken Down by Morgan State, 15-9
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After sacking two wins in Saturday's doubleheader over Morgan State, the Lady Bison looked to sweep their MEAC opponent in order to increase their chances of gaining a birth to the MEAC Championship Tournament, but fell short as the Bears took game three 15-9 at Banneker Field on Sunday afternoon.
In the first inning the Lady Bison surrendered seven runs to the Bears before responding with three runs when their turn at the plate arrived. Emily Johnson led off the game with a double and Lorae Robinson singled, pushing Johnson to third. Marisa Coats scored Johnson on a RBI groundout to second base and Rebecca Kirshner homered to bring home the remaining two runs.
After shutting out the Lady Bears in the second, Robinson tied the game at 7-7 with a grand slam. Prior to Robinson's blast out of the park, Trina Kindred singled to left, Andascha Moore doubled and Johnson walked to fill the bases.
Ciera Gordon scored to give the Bison their first lead of the game on a sacrifice fly by Kindred.
Two errors and back-to-back doubles helped the Lady Bears regained the lead after scoring five runs. Responding first for the Lady Bison was Robinson who reached base on a bunt. Marisa Coats scored Robinson on a double to right field.
In the fifth Carly Martin entered the game to relieve Emily Johnson who gave up five unearned runs on six hits. Before leaving the circle she struck out two batters and relieved starting pitcher Samantha Gatson who gave up four hits and the first four runs of the game.
The Bears scored three times increasing their lead, 15-9.
Howard attempted to take the game in the bottom of the seventh, but fell short as Johnson grounded out to the short stop for the third out of the frame - leaving Moore on second base and Martin at third.
Johnson took the loss on the mound - giving up eight runs in four innings of work. Robinson lead the Lady Bison at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBI.
For the complete story, visit www.howard-bison.com or www.morganstatebears.com
Seniors Leave Hornets Nest With 12-1 DSU Win Over Hampton
DOVER, Del. - Four Delaware State softball seniors ended their Hornets Nest career in tremendous fashion Sunday afternoon as they defeated Hampton, 12-1, in five innings.
Janelle Lukens Allison Rubin, Sherelle Sheppard and Andrea Waters were honored in a pre-game ceremony that highlighted their careers at DSU.
The Hornets capitalized on three Lady Pirate errors in the top of the third inning to take a 4-0 lead.
Junior Rachel Carroll led off the frame with a single through the right side and advanced to second on a fielder's choice by Lukens and error from shortstop Brooke Boykin. A sacrifice bunt junior Leslie Pleasanton pushed runners to second and third. Lukens and Carroll each scored on bunt from junior Casey Beighley. Beighley advanced to third on another throwing error from Boykin.
Junior Chelsea Stern laid down another bunt for DSU and Beighley scored the final run of the inning on a throwing error from second baseman Sharde' Estep.
The Hornets had a remarkable bottom of the fourth inning, scoring eight runs on six hits and one HU error, all before recording a single out.
Waters led off getting hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Carroll then singled up the middle and advanced to third on the throw while Waters scored on a throwing error from center fielder Tamara Vickers. Lukens followed with an RBI single to score Carroll.
HU pitcher Travonna Byrd walked the next three batters to load the bases and score Lukens. Sophomore Skye Boris slapped a single up the middle to score Pleasanton and keep the bases loaded. Freshman Ashley Davis came in to pinch hit for Sheppard and singled through the right side to score Beighley.
Junior Jordan Reid hit an RBI single to right field to score Stern. Waters followed with a two RBI double down the left field line to make things 12-1 before Tiffany Brents returned to pitch for the Lady Pirates and wrapped up the inning.
Beighley earned her eighth win of the season, giving up just one earned run on two hits, two walks and one strikeout. DSU improved to 27-17 overall and 9-3 in MEAC play while Hampton falls to 13-32 and 6-6.
For the complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.hamptonpirates.com
Bethune-Cookman Tops Florida A&M, 6-5
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Michelle Banuelos-Smith drove in three runs and Kelsey Rodney went 3-3 as Bethune-Cookman (25-23,9-0 MEAC South) concluded a three-game sweep of Florida A&M (22-24,5-4) with a 6-5 Senior Day victory at Sunnyland Park.
The Rattlers pulled within one run after Francesca Singletary's three-run homer in the top of the seventh, but senior Allison Garcia, with the tying run at third, registered her sixth strikeout to preserve the victory.
Cesley Tafoya and Aurelia Gamch each had two hits for the Wildcats, who clinched the MEAC South Division championship in their home finale.
For the coplete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.famuathletics.com