Florida A&M Opens With Win Over Southern Miss and Belmont
GULF SHORES, Ala. — Junior Jessica Nathan belted a three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to power the FAMU Women’s Softball team to a 9-7 season-opening win over Southern Mississippi on opening day of the 2016 Sand Dollar Softball Classic Friday afternoon.
The Rattlers pounded out 15 hits off Southern Miss pitching, chasing starter Danielle Block after she yielded five runs on five hits in five innings. Reliever Jillian Johnson ran into a FAMU buzzsaw over the final three innings, surrendering 10 hits and four runs, including the three-run blast by Nathan in the eighth.
Using the International Tiebreaker in extra innings, FAMU’s Tashayla Irvis was placed on second base to start the eighth, then Whitney Farris beat out a bunt to third base to put runners at the corners. Farris then stole second to put two runs in scoring position for Nathan, who laced a shot to left field for a 9-6 lead.
Nathan, a first-team preseason All-MEAC selection, lived up to advance billing, going 2-for-4, scoring three runs and driving in three with the home run. Whitney Farris led FAMU with three hits and three runs scored, while Amber Fullwood and Kenya Pereira each had two hits and drove in two runs. Alexis Day added two hits to the FAMU onslaught, while Toni Anderson had one hit and a pair of runs driven in.
FAMU junior pitcher Kenya Pereira (1-0) went the distance, working eight innings, scattering eight hits, allowing seven runs (five earned) with seven strikeouts.
Against Belmont, Alexis Day’s two-out RBI ground out scored Jessica Nathan with the winning run, lifting the Florida A&M Women’s Softball team past the Belmont University Bruins, 5-4 in the second round of the 2016 Sand Dollar Classic at the Gulf Shores Complex.
With the game tied 4-4, Day’s sharp grounder to first scored Nathan from third for FAMU’s second last inning win of the afternoon.
FAMU (2-0), had five hits total in the second game. Anderson, Jessica Nathan, Alexis Day, Tahlia Snider and Kieffi Myrick all had hits for FAMU, while Nathan, Myrick and Day all had an RBI.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com.
North Carolina Central Drop Openers to Loyola and Kennesaw State
KENNESAW, Ga.—The North Carolina Central University softball team suffered a pair of opening-day losses at the KSU Kickoff Classic at Bailey Park Friday. Loyola University Chicago first knocked off the Lady Eagles 9-0 in five innings before host Kennesaw State University rallied for a 3-2 walk-off win in the nightcap.
Against Loyola-Chicago, a pinch-hit, three-run homer by junior Alyssa Mannucci ended a 9-0 win in five innings for Loyola. The victory was the second straight run-rule triumph for the Ramblers (2-0) on the day.
Sophomore shortstop Brooke Wyderski – who led Loyola with 12 home runs and 37 RBI last season – went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI for the triumphant Ramblers.
Senior pitcher Ashley Rogers held NCCU to just one hit for the complete-game shutout. Rogers (1-0) fanned six Lady Eagles.
Senior Kayleigh Brueck provided NCCU with its lone hit, a one-out poke up the middle in the top of the fourth. Juniors Jennifer Allison and Brianna Hampton were the only other Lady Eagles to reach base by drawing walks.
Senior London Booker tossed three scoreless innings but took the loss after allowing two big innings. Booker (0-1) did show control with five strikeouts and no walks.
Against Kennesaw State, junior catcher Courtney Sutter led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple into the right field gap and scored the game-winning run on an error on the relay throw as Kennesaw State (2-0) rallied to defeat NCCU by one run, 3-2.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Savannah State splits two games at Lady Tiger Classic
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Savannah State University softball team (1-1) opened the season spliting two games on the first day of the Inaugural Lady Tiger Classic Friday at Lady Tiger Softball Field by losing to Jacksonville State 7-4 in the opener and defeating Drexel 6-0.
Junior transfer Chasney Jenkins went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs in both games, while senior Torrian Wright and freshman Cortni Jones each added a home run. Wright sent a solo home run over left field against Jacksonville State to tie the game at one, while Jones hit a two-run home run over left center field to give SSU a 2-0 lead against Drexel.
Freshman Kasie Johnson (1-0) went the distance against the Dragons with 7.0 innings pitched, giving up two hits with a walk and no runs, while junior Amanda Hallman (0-1) also went the distance pitching 7.0 innings giving up eight hits and six earned runs with a walk and six strikeouts.
For complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com
Bethune-Cookman opens season with pair of wins
CLERMONT, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Softball opened the 2016 season with a pair of wins Friday, defeating Morgan State (13-5) and Liberty (8-0) at Legends Way Field, as part of the National Collegiate Softball Invitational hosted by PFX Athletics in Clermont, Florida.
Against Morgan State, Brianna Sanders went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and teammates Wanda Darby, Annie Bakenhus and Iesha Waters each tallied a pair of hits to lead the Wildcats to a 13-5 win over Morgan State in the opening game for B-CU at the National Collegiate Softball Invitational at Legends Way Field.
Against Liberty, Deidra Genera went the distance in the circle for Bethune-Cookman, collecting her first career shutout as the Wildcats downed Liberty, 8-0 in five innings at Legends Way Field in the second game of the day for the Maroon and Gold as part of the National Collegiate Softball Invitational.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com