Posted: Apr 04, 2009
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GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The North Greenville University
softball team (12-14) utilized a pair of strong pitching
performances and some timely hitting to sweep a doubleheader
against Tusculum College (12-22) by scores of 4-1 and 3-1 on
Saturday afternoon at Red Edmonds Field.North Greenville held the Pioneers to a combined seven hits and two runs in the twin-bill while pounding out 12 hits and seven runs of its own. Freshman Ashley Burke led the way with two hits in game two while Phlyscia Powell and Alex Kimbrell each had one RBI for Tusculum.
Holli Cadenhead (7-13) made the start for Tusculum in game one and allowed four unearned runs on six hits in seven innings of work. Lindsay Bridges (3-5) threw the first two innings of the nightcap for TC, and was relieved by Ali Hansen who allowed two runs on four hits over the final five frames.
The Crusaders' Karli Taylor posted a pair of 2-for-3 performances, driving in a total of three runs to pace the NGU offense. Bridget Watson chipped in with three base knocks on the afternoon, while Allison Bailey and Whitney Center each scored two runs. Lauren Vick contributed two RBIs in game one for the Crusaders.
North Greenville's Kristyn Smith (7-6) took a perfect game into the sixth inning of game one and finished the contest with six strikeouts in seven stanzas of work. Taylor Roof (5-8) allowed one run on three hits over seven innings in game two, striking out six and walking two.
Game One: North Greenville 4, Tusculum 1
The first game of the doubleheader remained scoreless until the sixth inning when the Crusaders pushed across four runs on three hits and one error by the Pioneers, highlighted by Vick's two-out two-run single to center that extended the lead to 4-0.
Tusculum broke up the perfect game in the bottom of the sixth on Powell's leadoff double down the left field line. Powell later scored on a bunt single by Kimbrell. The Pioneers would threaten with a pair of singles by Taylor MacDonald and Rachel Hopper, before Smith retired the final batter of the inning to quell the rally and leave the bases loaded for Tusculum.
Game Two: North Greenville 3, Tusculum 1
North Greenville opened the scoring in game two with one run in each of the second and third innings to take an early 2-0 lead into the bottom of the third. The Crusaders would tack on a run in the sixth to extend the lead to 3-0 on Taylor's second RBI base knock of the game.
Burke led off the seventh inning for Tusculum with a triple to right field and scampered home on Powell's sacrifice fly to left to cut the lead to 3-1. Roof then responded with a strikeout and a groundout to stop the rally and clinch the sweep for the Crusaders.
Tusculum returns to the diamond on Wednesday when the Pioneers travel to Jefferson City, Tenn. to resume their South Atlantic Conference schedule against arch-rival Carson-Newman College. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
- TC
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