ETSU scores six unanswered runs to beat NKU

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 29, 2014) – A three-run, go-ahead home run by freshman Taylor Carter (Brazil, Ind.) capped ETSU’s come-from-behind win over Northern Kentucky Saturday, March 29. The Buccaneers erased a five-run deficit, scoring six unanswered runs, to knock off the Norse.

After failing to record a hit in the game’s opening three innings, ETSU’s offense came alive in the fourth frame, with freshman Danielle Knoetze (San Diego, Calif.) belting a two-run homer to left centerfield to drive home Katie Wolff (La Grange, Texas) and cut the Bucs’ deficit to 5-2.

Pitching in relief, junior Whitney Leon (Dandridge, Tenn.) held the Norse (3-24, 1-9) to just one earned run in five and two-third innings of work.

With Leon neutralizing the NKU offense, the Bucs (12-15, 2-8) capitalized with a four-run sixth inning highlighted by Carter’s fourth homer of the season.

Junior Alex Everett (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) led off the sixth with a single to centerfield before moving to third on a Jackie Baird (Ooltewah, Tenn.) double to left.

After Knoetze drew a walk to load the bases, sophomore Bethany Cowart (Ringgold, Ga.) advanced the runners with a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Everett and cutting ETSU’s deficit to 5-3.

Just two pitches later, the Bucs would capture the lead, as Carter turned on an 0-1 pitch, driving a homer over the left field wall.

Carter, who is batting .299 on the year, ranks second on the team in RBI (20), home runs (4), and total bases (40). On the mound, the Brazil, Ind., native has posted a team-best 8-5 record, allowing just six walks in 76 and two-thirds innings, ranking second in the nation for fewest walks per seven innings (0.55).

As rain began to fall steadily at Betty Basler Field, Leon retired three of NKU’s first four batters in the seventh inning to seal the 6-5 victory for the Bucs.

Game Two of Saturday’s double-header was postponed due to severe rain. The Bucs and Norse will, instead, play a double-header Sunday, March 30, with games beginning at 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.

Sunday’s forecast calls for a high of 53 degrees with a 30 percent chance of precipitation.

Live stats for Sunday's games can be found by clicking here. For directions to Betty Basler Field, click here.

FOLLOW THE BUCS

• Receive live game updates and behind-the-scenes access of ETSU Softball by following @ETSUSoftball on Twitter or BucSoftball on Facebook.
• ETSU fans wanting to receive Buccaneer news, score updates, in-game promotions and much more sent to their mobile device can do so by signing up for “Buc Updates.” Click here to sign up today!
• For schedule and time changes due to weather, please refer to the above links to follow the Bucs on Twitter or sign up for Buc Updates. For directions to Betty Basler Field, click here.