|
DECATUR, Ala. (February 17, 2012)-
The 11th ranked Rollins softball team appeared to still be
recovering from the 11 hour bus ride it took on Thursday in day one of the 2012
Charger Chillout, hosted by the University of Alabama-Huntsville, as they
dropped both games Friday afternoon, 4-2 and 1-0 respectively.
In game one, the Tars took on the unranked Greyhounds of the University of
Indianapolis. Reigning Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week Hope Bitzer
got the start in the circle for Rollins looking for her third straight victory.
The Greyhounds drew first blood early on an RBI double in the top of the
first from center fielder Jennifer DeMotte after left fielder Casey Williamson
led off the game with a walk.
Indianapolis would add two more to their lead in the third. The Greyhounds
led off the inning with back to back singles from Alexa Alfaro and Cori Eckerle
and then loaded the bases on a walk to Dakota Malayer. Bitzer then struck out
the next two Indianapolis hitters to bring up first baseman Taylor Russell.
Russell then laced a single through the left side plating Alfaro and Eckerle to
make it 3-0 Greyhounds.
After a scoreless third from the Tars, DeMotte hit her second RBI double of
the game in the top of the fourth, scoring Williamson all the way from first
after she had reached on an error, extending the lead to 4-0.
Rollins finally joined the party in their half of the fourth on a two run
tape measure blast from senior right fielder Lawna Hunter that scored Veronica
Alred after Alred reached to open the inning on an error.
Rollins threatened again in the seventh after a Tara Turner pinch hit walk
and a Monica Meadows single brought up Bitzer with runners on first and second
with two outs. But DeMotte, who came in to pitch in the third, got Bitzer to
ground to shortstop Krysta Bradford who went to third to force out Hannah
Lovestrand after Lovestrand re-entered to run for Turner to end the threat and
the game.
Bitzer (3-2) was credited with the loss as she went the full seven innings
giving up four runs, three earned, on ten hits while striking out 12. DeMotte
(2-0) got the win for Greyhounds pitching five innings in relief giving up two
runs, one earned, on three hits.
In game two, the No. 11 Tars took on the No. 3 Saints of North Georgia.
Sophomore Amye McIntyre squared off against Saints pitcher Jessica Coan in what
turned out to be a pitcher's duel.
Both pitchers went back and forth all game long with neither team mounting
much of a threat until the Saints half of the sixth. Freshman Rochelle Shuman
led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second base on a McIntyre wild
pitch. McIntyre retired the next two North Georgia batters, on a fly out and a
strike out respectively. After Shuman had advanced to third on a passed ball in
the previous at bat, first baseman Katherine Martin came to the plate with two
outs and a runner on third.
Martin ripped a ground ball towards third that took a tough hop that third
baseman Hilary Brown couldn't handle, allowing Shuman to score from third to
give the Saints a 1-0 lead heading into the seventh.
The Tars refused to go without a fight putting runners on first and second
in the top of the inning but couldn't come up with the big hit as Turner was
forced out at third to end the game.
McIntyre (2-1) went six innings in the loss giving up one run, zero earned,
on two hits and three walks. Coan (5-0) picked up here fifth win of the season
going the distance for North Georgia giving up no runs on just four hits while
striking out nine.
Rollins will be back in action Saturday, February 18th in game
three of the Charger Chillout against Georgia College & State University
with first pitch slated for 9:30am. Fans can follow all the action live on the
Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.
|
