Sunday, April 03, 2005

GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 2, 2005) - Danielle Spetar (Knoxville, Tenn.) delivered a game-tying RBI single with two outs in the top of the seventh and scored the game-winning run on an error to lead East Tennessee State (17-20, 3-3) to a 2-1 victory in game one on its way to a doubleheader sweep of Furman in Southern Conference softball action Sunday at Pepsi Stadium.  The Buccaneers downed Furman 5-1 in game two to complete the sweep.

With Furman leading 1-0 in the seventh inning of game one, Lady Bucs outfielder Briana Knight (Brier, Wa.) ripped a one-out double to center.  After a ground out, Spetar singled to drive in Knight and moved to second on the throw to the plate.  Lindsay Lane (Erwin, Tenn.) hit a slow roller between the pitcher's circle and first base, but Colleen Harrison could not hold on to Rachel Henley's throw to allowing Spetar to score the eventual winning run.

Both teams missed several scoring opportunities as East Tennessee State stranded eight runners on base and Furman left six on the base paths.

Belinda Barrera (Fayetteville, N.C.) allowed just one run and struck out six to secure the win for East Tennessee.  Knight led the Buccaneer offensive attack going 3-for-3 with a double.

In game two, catcher Jessica Lonsinger (Dale City, Va.) drove in two runs and Courtney Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) held Furman to one run while tossing a complete game as ETSU downed Furman 5-1. 

Furman, as it did in game one, took an early lead when Matthews blasted a solo homer off of the scoreboard in left field.  The Buccaneers answered in the top of the fourth however.  After a base on balls and two singles loaded the bases, Lonsinger singled to center driving in Lane and Spetar to give the Lady Bucs a 2-1 lead.

Leading 3-1 in the seventh, Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.) and Spetar both stole home on double steals to up the ETSU advantage to 5-1.

Jenkins, who struck out six with no walks on the day, picked up the victory to improve to 10-9 on the season.  Lane and Sprague each collected two hits for East Tennessee State.

ETSU returns to action when they host non-conference foe Winthrop in doubleheader on April 5 at Metro Kiwanis Park.  Game one is slated for a 2:00 p.m. start.