Friday, September 19, 2003

Johnson City, Tenn. (Sept. 19, 2003) - East Tennessee State's softball team opened its fall season Friday afternoon with a 5-2 victory over UVA-Wise at the 2003 Milligan Fall Classic at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City. It was the first time the Buccaneers have played competitively as a team since last year's runner-up finish in the Southern Conference tournament. "We played fairly well for the first time out," said ETSU's second-year head coach Amy Fuller. "Overall, I was very pleased with what I saw, and hopefully tomorrow we will play just as well." A pair of homeruns highlighted the Buccaneers' offense. Junior Lindsay Lane (Erwin, Tenn.) hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the second inning to give ETSU a 2-0 advantage. Freshman Stephanie Gaynord (Manassas, Va.) also went deep for the Bucs, when her solo shot sailed over the left-centerfield fence in the bottom of the third. Sophomore pitcher Julia McChain (Dale City, Va.) earned the win. With the win, Fuller's Buccaneers go to 1-0 in their respective pool, but the team has a long day ahead of them on Saturday. ETSU will begin play at 9 a.m. versus Cumberland. The Bucs will then go head-to-head with host Milligan at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. match up against Mars Hill. The consolation games are schedule to start at 7 p.m. with the championship beginning at 8:45 p.m. at Winged Deer Park. ETSU's schedule for Saturday, Sept. 20 9 a.m. vs. Cumberland 12:30 p.m. vs. Milligan 4 p.m. vs. Mars Hill 7 p.m. Consolation games 8:45 p.m. Championship