Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 |
Box Score 3 by Cory Guinn
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Barton College fastpitch softball team began what will be a full week of games with three contests against Elizabeth City State University, Saint Augustine's University and Edinboro University on Monday afternoon at Olsen Park.
Barton (3-9) began the day with a 6-5 victory over Elizabeth City State before dropping two consecutive games against Saint Augustine's and Edinboro 5-0 and 6-4 respectively.
Game One: Barton 6 Elizabeth City State 5
The Vikings of Elizabeth City State (0-4) got on the scoreboard first in Barton's first game of the day, scoring four runs on four hits with one defensive error for an early 4-0 lead in the second inning.
Barton quickly responded with three runs of their own in the top of the third as freshman Ashley Burkett reached on a throwing error by the Viking third baseman and advanced to second before moving over to third on a passed ball.
With one out and a runner on third, sophomore Taylor Bowden singled up the middle to drive in Barton's first run of the game. Following a strikeout, freshman Brittany Jacobs singled down the right field line to put runners on first and second.
Junior Crystal Britton drove in the second run of the game with an RBI-single to left center followed by an RBI double from the bat of senior Hayley Baxley to cut the deficit to a 4-3 advantage for ECSU after 2 1/2 innings.
The Lady Bulldogs tied the game at four runs a piece in the top of the fourth inning when sophomore Megan Kelly singled to the shortstop and was driven in by Bowden with a two-out double to center field. An RBI-single up the middle from senior Betsy Braswell gave Barton a 5-4 lead in the fourth.
Braswell tripled to right field to drive in her second RBI of the game in the sixth inning to provide an insurance run for the Lady Bulldogs.
Elizabeth City State added a run in the bottom of the seventh and final inning as the Vikings comeback fell one run short.
Braswell led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance from the plate, including a triple and an RBI, while Bowden was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI of her own. Baxley also recorded two hits in the game, both doubles, and her first RBI of the season.
Freshman Amber Baker went 1.1 innings in her first career start, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits with a strikeout. In addition to her success at the plate, Baxley (1-0) pitched 5.2 innings of relief, allowing one unearned run on three hits to earn her first win of the season.
Game Two: Saint Augustine's 5 Barton 2
In the second game of the day, the Lady Bulldog defense committed four defensive error five unearned runs as the Falcons of Saint Augustine's downed Barton 5-2.
Saint Augustine's (2-4) first got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs on two hits and taking advantage of two Barton errors in the field. RBI singles from Korey Hill and Danyelle Noland gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead.
The Falcons final two runs of the game came in the top of the fourth on a two-RBI single up the middle from Marley Parker as another Barton error in the field led to two unearned runs.
The Lady Bulldogs mounted a comeback effort in the bottom of the sixth inning as Lindsey Sharpe led off the inning with a walk followed by a single from Kelly to centerfield.
The runners would each advanced a base before Sharpe scored from third on a wild pitch. Braswell then drove home her third RBI of the day with an RBI-single up the middle. However, Barton's offense would go down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to lead to the three-run defeat.
Junior right-hander Ashlyn Reagan (0-5) tied her season-high with five strikeouts, allowing five runs (none earned) on just seven hits over seven innings of work.
Braswell turned in a 2-for-3 performance with a triple and an RBI, while Kelly was also 2-for-3 with a run scored and a triple of her own.
Game Three: Edinboro 6 Barton 4
Barton's offense carried momentum over to the final game of the day against Edinboro, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning of play.
After the first two Lady Bulldogs each struck out swinging, junior Rachel Jordan reached on a fielding error and advanced to second on a Braswell single up the middle. Both runners would come around to score on an RBI-single from junior Liz White in the next at-bat as Britton tripled to right center field to give Barton an early 3-0 lead.
The Fighting Scots (4-2) brought their first run across the plate in the bottom of the third, scoring on a Barton fielding error, before tying the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning on back-to-back sacrifice bunts.
Edinboro took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on three hits and Barton's second defensive miscue of the game for a 6-3 lead with an inning left to play.
The Lady Bulldogs continued to fight in the bottom of the final inning as Kelly and Bowden both reached base with two outs. Jordan used an RBI-single to right center to make the deficit 6-4 but Edinboro's Kerri Stevens shut the door to end the comeback bid.
White (2-4) threw her second consecutive complete game, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits with five strikeouts on the mound.
At the plate, White was 1-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBI, while Braswell concluded her strong day with a 2-for-4 performance with a double and a run scored. Britton was also 1-for-3 with her first triple of the season and an RBI as Bowden and Jordan also recorded one hit apiece in the game.
Barton will waste no time returning to action as the Lady Bulldogs travel to Tigerville, S.C. tomorrow for a doubleheader with Conference Carolinas member North Greenville University. The first game of the day is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start at Pepsi Field.
