Lady Eagles Take Two From Virginia Intermont
March 6, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Carson-Newman softball team swept Virginia Intermont on Friday afternoon at the Lady Eagle Softball Complex, winning the first game 8-0 and claiming the second contest 9-0. Both games ended after five innings.
With the wins, the Lady Eagles improve to 13-5 on the season, while Virginia Intermont falls to 4-10.
"We really needed to come out and play today," Lady Eagles head coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield said. "I hope this gives us a little confidence because we sure need it. Hopefully we have learned that we have to play hard for 14 innings."
Freshman pitcher Mary Shealy (Clinton, S.C.) (11-3) earned both wins for the Lady Eagles. Shealy allowed just five hits and struck out nine in 10 innings of work.
In the first game, C-N pounded out 11 hits on its way to an 8-0 victory.
Amber Palmer (Kennesaw, Ga.) delivered two hits and drove in two runs to lead the Lady Eagles, while Whitney Kee (Knoxville, Tenn.) added two hits and scored three runs. Amber Hewitt (Ringgold, Ga.) chipped in a hit and had three RBIs.
The Lady Eagles scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Shealy and a two-run double by Hewitt to build a 3-0 lead
Palmer drove in a run in the home half of the third with a double to left field to push C-N's lead to 4-0.
C-N erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game via the eight-run rule.
Virginia Intermont starter Kristen Dyer was tagged with the loss after giving up eight runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings of work.
In the second game, the Lady Eagles collected 11 hits to win 9-0.
Shealy went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to lead C-N at the plate, while Jessie Howard (Knoxville, Tenn.) added two hits and two runs scored.
Hewitt drove in a run on a fielder's choice to spark a six-run second inning for the Lady Eagles. Hewitt later scored on an error to give C-N a 2-0 lead. Whitney Durham (Rossville, Ga.) came through with a two-run double in the inning, and Sarah Little (Calhoun, Ga.) drove in a run with a single to center field. Palmer drew a bases loaded walk, scoring Shealy for the final run of the inning.
After adding a run in the fourth inning, C-N closed out the game in the home half of the fifth, as Shealy's two-run double ended the game.
Virginia Intermont starting hurler Nikita Belcher picked up the loss after surrendering six runs (four earned) on six hits in 1 2/3 innings on the mound.
C-N returns to action on Monday in a doubleheader at home against USC Aiken. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
