Lady Eagles Handed Two Close Losses at UNCG Spartan Classic
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team dropped a pair of close games in the final day of the UNCG Spartan Classic on Sunday, falling to Rutgers University, 4-1, in the morning before losing the finale to UNC Greensboro, 8-6, in the afternoon.
The Lady Eagles (0-16) will make their home debut on Wednesday against Charlotte with the non-conference tilt slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch at Parkwood Athletic Field.
Against Rutgers, the Maroon and Gray had five hits, all singles, by five different Lady Eagles.
Senior London Booker hurled a complete-game for the Lady Eagles but took the loss with four runs allowed (three earned) on seven hits. Booker did fan a season-high six batters in her eighth appearance and fifth start.
Against UNCG, NCCU belted out a season-high 11 hits but nine Lady Eagles were left stranded on base and UNCG (10-9) smashed four home runs to squeak out the two-run triumph.
NCCU used four pitchers in the contest with Booker taking the loss in 3 1/3 innings of relief work.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Lady Rattlers Fall To Unbeaten Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For the second time in as many meetings, the FAMU Women’s Softball team played the top-ranked University of Florida toe-to-toe, taking an early lead Sunday before falling 4-1 at KSP Field in the final game of the UF Aquafina Invitational.
The Rattlers (5-11) sent pitcher Veronica Burse to the circle against the unbeaten Gators, and for three and one third innings, she held UF to four hits and one earned run.
Junior Kenya Pereira (3-4) came on in relief in the fourth inning to work the final two and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on two hits with a strikeout, taking the loss.
The Rattlers had three hits, all in the third inning Sunday, while Florida managed six hits against FAMU pitching.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com
Rhode Island Wins Twice against Norfolk State
NORFOLK, Va. — Rhode Island hit a game-tying home run in the top of the seventh and then scored three runs in the ninth to win game 2 by a 9-6 margin and sweep the Norfolk State softball team on Sunday afternoon at the NSU Softball Field.
The Rams held off NSU in the first game, scoring twice in the fifth and then making several solid defensive plays to win 3-2. The teams split their four-game series this weekend after NSU won both contests on Saturday.
Junior Mikki Haury had a big day for the Spartans, going a combined 6-for-7 with three runs and two RBI during the two games.
In the second game, relief pitcher Julia Waraksy (1-2) earned the win for URI after the Rams rallied in the seventh and won it in the ninth, giving up just two hits and striking out three in 4.1 innings of relief.
NSU will host Radford on Wednesday at the NSU Softball Field beginning at 1 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com
Hornets Record Two Wins in UD’s Blue Hen Blast
NEWARK, Del. – Continuing its season-opening 22-game road stretch, the Delaware State softball team (6-8) settled for a split over the weekend in Delaware’s Blue Hen Blast. The Hornets began with a 4-1 victory over the Blue Hens (10-6), followed by a wild 12-10 win against the Bucknell Bison (8-6), in which play was resumed on Sunday in the sixth inning after it was suspended on Saturday due to darkness. To round out the weekend, the Hornets were shutout by the Bison (6-0), in addition to falling to UD in a high-scoring affair (13-11).
Throughout its four games, DSU batted .351 with 36 hits, 27 runs, 23 RBI, eight doubles, three home runs, two triples and nine walks. To no surprise, outfielder Nicole Gazzola (.438) led the way for four Hornets batting over .400. She also totaled a team-best seven hits, five runs and a triple, in addition to going a perfect 3-for-3 in the stolen base department. More importantly, the Coram, N.Y., native reached base on a bunt-single in the seventh inning in Sunday’s game against UD to surpass Catrina Ansbach (2004-07) as DSU’s all-time hits leader with 225.
Accomplishing this feat was just another day at the office for Gazzola, who also holds the DSU’s single-season hits record (86) she set as a freshman.
Delaware State will be in action later this week with the N.C. State Challenge in Raleigh, N.C. DSU will play a total of five games against N.C. State, Northern Illinois and Loyola.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com