Thursday, March 14, 2002

Elon College, N.C. (Mar. 14, 2002) -- Danielle Spetar (Konxville, Tenn.) rapped four hits and Courtney Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) pitched her way to a victory and a save as East Tennessee State slipped past Elon for a doubleheader sweep, 4-3 in eight innings and 7-5, Thursday afternoon at East Field in Elon College, N.C. In the first game, Danielle Concepcion singled home Suzanne Speed with a one-out shot to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning, knotting the game for the Phoenix at 3-3 and forcing the extra inning. ETSU sophomore outfielder Rhea Holler's (Peoria, Ariz.) single to right plated sophomore catcher Sheryl Clark (Bradenton, Fla.) in the fatal frame to give the Bucs the victory. Jenkins (4-3) pitched all eight innings, scattering three earned runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out four. Elon starter Amanda Zentner (2-7) suffered the loss, surrendering two earned runs on six hits while logging four walks and four strikeouts. In the nightcap, East Tennessee State exploded for five runs in the sixth inning to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 6-3 advantage. Another Buc score in the top of the seventh pushed the margin to 7-3 and Elon's two runs in the bottom of the frame were just not enough. Senior pitcher Marsha Giles (Jonesborough, Tenn.)(4-4) worked five innings in the circle for ETSU (10-10). She allowed three earned runs on six hits while fanning six and walking none. Jenkins two innings of relief (5 hits, 2 earned runs, BB, 3 Ks) were good enough for her third save of the season. For the two contests, Spetar (4-for-6, run, 2 RBI, 2 doubles, SB, SH), Tiffany Vandergriff (Sale Creek, Tenn.) (3-for-8, 2 runs, RBI) and Holler (3-for-7, 2 runs, RBI, BB) paced the Bucs. Jenny Gustin (4-for-8, run, RBI, double), Concepcion (3-for-8, run, 2 RBI, triple) and Pam Brock (2-for-7, 2 runs, 3 RBI, HR) led the Phoenix (5-15). The Bucs return to action in their first Southern Conference action of the season, taking on UNC Greensboro in a Friday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.