Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C. – Barton College junior Liz White pitched a complete-game four-hitter in leading the Lady Bulldogs to a 4-1 victory over previously unbeaten Fairmont State University in BC's long-awaited home opener Wednesday at Jeffries Field.
The Fighting Falcons had more success against White in the nightcap, scoring four early runs on their way to a 5-2 win in game two of the non-conference doubleheader.
The split left Fairmont State with a 7-1 ledger and Barton with a 6-14 record.
Game 1: Barton 4, Fairmont State 1
Barton provided White with all the run support she would need in the very first inning, and did so without lifting the bat off its shoulders. Fairmont State starter Ashley Knight (1-1) struggled with the umpire's high strike zone and walked five straight batters. The final two free passes – the first to White and the second to Samantha Bass – forced in runs to give the Royal Blue and White an early 2-0 advantage.
The Lady Bulldogs chased Knight in the second inning, adding two more runs on four hits. Crystal Britton produced a one-out single to right and moved to second on an infield single by Megan Kelly. Both runners scored on a double into the gap in right-center by Betsy Braswell.
Braswell would add another double in her next at-bat, giving her five in a span of three games.
The 4-0 lead after two innings was more than enough for White, whose only run surrendered came on a home run by designated hitter Addie Fullen with one out in the fifth inning. Just two other FSU runners reached scoring position off White, who walked three and struck out five.
Game 2: Fairmont State 5, Barton 2
An error to open the game, a single and a walk loaded the bases for the Fighting Falcons in the first inning, and Courtney Iacobacci followed with a two-run double down the left field line to give Fairmont State an early 2-0 advantage.
FSU added two more runs to begin the second inning after Maddy Gulan drew a leadoff walk and Terri Lynn Wolfe homered to left field, ending the day for White (4-6).
Hayley Baxley worked two scoreless innings for the Lady Bulldogs and Ashlyn Reagan worked out of a jam in the fourth inning unscathed, but the Fighting Falcons increased their lead to 5-0 in the fifth inning after Iacobacci tripled and scored on a two-out single by Fullen.
Barton finally got on the board against Fairmont State starter Bailey Shade (2-0) in the bottom of the sixth. Britton walked to lead off the frame and moved to second on a single by Kelly. Both runners scored on a two-out double to left-center by Rachel Jordan that cut the deficit to three, 5-2.
However, the Lady Bulldogs could not produce a rally in the seventh off Shade, who gave up just four hits, walked three and struck out five in the complete-game victory.
The contests marked the beginning of a 14-game home stand for the Lady Bulldogs, which were forced by the weather to play their first 18 games on the road. Barton is slated to play its first home league games on Saturday when the Pfeiffer Falcons visit for a 1:30 p.m. Conference Carolinas doubleheader.
