Saturday, April 01, 2006

ROCK HILL, S.C. (April 1, 2006) - Winthrop pounded ETSU for 25 hits and 17 runs in two games on Saturday, as the Eagles topped the Lady Bucs in softball action, 8-6, and 9-6, at Terry Field.  With the pair of victories, Winthrop improves to 24-18 on the year, while ETSU falls to 13-23.

The Lady Bucs jumped out to a 4-2 lead in game one, thanks to a three-run homerun from senior Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.) in the top of the third, but the Eagles wouldn't go away, answering with three runs of their own in the fourth. 

ETSU stole the lead again in the fifth, with Stephanie Gaynord (Manassas, Va.) and Mary Catherine Vercoe (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) both scoring on Winthrop errors.  Winthrop responded with another run in their half of the fifth, and put the game away with a pair of runs in the sixth.

Briana Knight (Brier, Wash.) accounted for three of ETSU's seven hits, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.  Winthrop's Hilary Peacock also posted a 3-for-4 showing, while teammates Stephanie Reid and Jacqueline Trottier added three RBIs apiece.

Brittany Lehrschall (Leland, N.C.) took the loss in relief, allowing six hits and three runs in 2 2/3 innings.  The sophomore stands at 3-6 on the spring.  Julie Harvey was credited with the win, throwing all seven innings, while allowing just three earned runs and striking out five.  Winthrop committed three errors on the game, while the Lady Bucs made one miscue.

The Eagles carried their winning momentum into game two, leading, 5-0, with three innings completed.  The Lady Bucs got on the board in the fourth when Vercoe slammed a three-run homer, the freshman's fourth blast of the season.

ETSU fought back to take the lead in the in the fifth, tacking on another three runs, the first coming when Gaynord scored on a wild pitch.  Sprague and Knight would also score in the inning, crossing the plate on an error by the Winthrop second baseman.

Winthrop answered in the fifth, as Lauren Blaser scored on a sacrifice fly from teammate Tessa Thomas.  The Eagles clinched the game in the sixth, behind a two-run blast from Lindsey Merriman, as well as an unearned run scored on an ETSU error.

Vercoe took the loss, falling to 5-9 on the season.  The rookie threw six innings, giving up 13 hits and eight earned runs, while striking out three and walked three.  Trottier got the victory for the Eagles, going the distance and giving up seven hits and four earned runs.  The Lady Bucs made two miscues, while Winthrop recorded one error.

ETSU hits the road again next week, meeting in-state rival and fifth-ranked Tennessee on Wednesday, April 5.  The first game of the doubleheader is set for 5 p.m., in Knoxville, Tenn.