Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-After being held to just one hit in a 1-0 loss in the opener, the Barton College softball team ripped eight hits in a dominating 9-1 victory in the nightcap to earn a split of the Conference Carolinas doubleheader at Gillette Park on Thursday evening.
The Lady Bulldogs finished the day with records of 13-20 overall and 3-11 in the conference. The Bobcats exit at 13-28 and 4-10.
Junior starter Laurel Gregg dominated the first game tossing a one-hit shutout that featured 10 strikeouts. Gregg (6-15) took a no-hit bid into the fifth inning.
Freshman Heather Gatton had the Bulldogs lone hit, a solid poke up the middle with one out in the bottom of the fifth. Barton had several chances to score with runners reaching scoring position in four frames with the help of six walks issued by Gregg but Barton was unable to manufacture the potential runs.
Sophomore Autumn Pittman was nearly as impressive in the pitcher's circle for the Royal Blue and White allowing just three hits over seven complete innings. Pittman (4-7) suffered the loss after allowing the only run of the game on a leadoff homer by senior Lindsey Huntsinger to begin the fifth. Pittman did not walk anyone and tallied four K's.
Lees-McRae began the scoring in the second game with a pair of singles in the top of the third before Barton rallied and then pulled away with nine unanswered runs.
The Bulldogs raced ahead with six runs in the home half of the third highlighted three consecutive run producing base knocks. Junior Elizabeth Webb ripped a two-run double off the base of the center field wall; junior Rebecka Morgan followed with an RBI-single; and Pittman capped the outburst with a three-run blast over the center field fence.
Barton tacked on two more runs in the fourth on a single by Webb, who finished the game 2-for-3 with four RBI. The Bulldogs were able to end the game in the fifth without a hit. Freshman Alyssa Spell drew a one-out walk and Moore reached on a fielding error with two outs. Junior pinch hitter Amber Weaver loaded the bases by drawing her own walk before a third walk was granted, this time earned by senior Stacy Wade to send home Spell.
Senior Emily Jordan held Lees-McRae to just three hits over five innings for the complete-game victory. Jordan (4-8) did not have a strikeout but all 15 outs were recorded in the infield.
Barton next entertains Conference Carolinas newcomer North Greenville University on Tuesday at Gillette Park beginning at 4 p.m.
