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March 28, 2004
Radford, VA - The Tournament opened for UMES in game two of the Highlander Softball Classic. Niagara pounded out 13 hits in route to a 12-4, five inning victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore (1-20). Leading the way for the Purple Eagles was Lisa Hess, who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI. UMES opened the scoring in the top of the first with a pair of infield singles to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, the Lady Hawks scored on a throwing error by Albany's catcher on a failed pickoff attempt. The Purple Eagles struck for four runs in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI ground rule double by Kristina Kilian and a run scoring bunt single by Amanda Baluch. They added two more on a pair of UMES errors. They would plate two more in the second on back-to-back RBI singles by Hess and Colleen Larson. After UMES plated a run in the top of the fourth, Niagara scored five runs on six hits in the bottom half of the inning. Their first run came courtesy of three straight singles to start the inning. They would add four more on three RBI singles and a sac fly. The Lady Hawks added two in the top of the fifth on a two-run single to left by Jennifer Wilson. Niagara scored the final run on an error by the leftfielder after Lisa Baker double with one out in the sixth. Andrea Crapo earned the win for the Purple Eagles, allowing two unearned runs on four hits. She struck out four in four innings of work. Christina Mason suffered the loss, allowing 13 hits, 12 runs, eight earned. She struck out four and walked two. Baker, Larsen and Baluch each had two hits for Niagara. Larsen and Baluch knocked in a pair of runs, while Baker scored four times.
In game two the Lady Hawks took on host Radford. Freshman Breanna Felix tossed a perfect game against Maryland-Eastern Shore (1-16), highlighting Radford's first day at the Highlander Classic. The lefty struck out a career high 11 batters, helping the Highs to a 3-0 victory.
Radford scored two runs in the first and one in the third behind the performance from Felix. In the first, the Highs quickly scored two runs on a single by Sara Beth Clayton and a three base error on the rightfielder scoring both Clayton and Lara Wohlgemuth, who led off the inning with a walk. In the third, Amanda Walling, who led off with a single, scored after moving to second on an error, stealing third and reaching home when the throw went into leftfield. Walling finished the game 2-for-2, while Wohlgemuth went 1-for-1 with two stolen bases. On day two UMES looked to get back on track. They opened against Brown University who shut down the UMES offense. The Brown starter, Gibbs, tossed a no-hitter, the third one thrown against the Lady Hawks this year. The Bears gave up no walks but committed one error in the first to keep them from a perfect game. They could not muster not much more in the second game against Albany as they got one hit off of the bat of Marlee Johnson in the fourth inning, a single to center. Great Dayne's starter, Buyea pitched a complete game five innings allowing that one hit and striking out six. Lesley Aitkenhead took the loss in game two. In the fourth and fifth place game the Lady Hawks took on Niagara and got the bats going. They scored four runs on four hits, putting a pair up on the scoreboard in the third and fourth innings. Latoya Bailey led off the third with a walk. Rena Bishop and Lindsay Poss followed up with back-to-back walks to load the bases. A Johnson single through the left side would score Bailey. That was followed by an Aitkenhead single that scored Bishop. In the fourth Mason started off the inning by reaching on an error. Two outs later Bishop would reach on another error. A Poss walk loaded the bases. Johnson recorded another RBI, this time singling through the left side. Aitkenhead then singled to second base and scored Bishop. The solid Hawks hitting was out shadowed by Niagara's 13 runs on 13 hits. UMES travels to Hampton on Wednesday for MEAC competition. Portions of this story taken from offical Highlander Classic releases |
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