By By Ryan Satcher/staff writer
Feb. 22, 2002
The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles lost a pair of games to visiting Pensacola Junior College at Northeast Park in fast-pitch softball action on Thursday night.
The Lady Pirates squeaked by with a 4-3 victory in the first game and won the second game 8-0 in five innings behind a no-hit performance by PJC's Dana Gilmore.
The Lady Eagles fall to 4-2 on the season and will host the Rush Classic this weekend. MCC will play at 11 a.m., 3 and 5 p.m. today.
Pensacola 4
MCC 3
The Lady Eagles of MCC stranded a runner at third base in the seventh inning as they fell to the visitors 4-3.
MCC scored two runs in the first inning to take an early lead in the first ballgame of the doubleheader.
Morgan Wright lead off the inning with a walk and Dreka Shumpert was hit by a pitch to give MCC runners at first and second. After a fielder's choice, Layla Brewer walked to load the bases. Lindsey Stamm drew a walk to bring in a runner and make the score 1-0. The second run of the inning came when a wild pitch scored Stephanie Dixon to make the score 2-0 after one inning of play.
The Lady Pirates of Pensacola came back in the second inning to cut the lead to one run when Jessica Zibell doubled to bring in Josette Kniffen from first base and cut the lead to 2-1.
Pensacola tied the game in the third inning. Sarka Koprivova hit a two-out triple and scored moments later on a wild pitch to tie the game 2-2.
The Lady Pirates took the lead in the fifth inning when Erin McKinsey reached on an error and later scored as MCC turned a doubleplay.
In the seventh inning the visitors added an important insurance run to make the score 4-2. Jackie Piper doubled to lead off the inning. McKinsey singled to give the Lady Pirates runners at first and third. McKinsey took off for second base on a steal a few pitches later. The throw down to second was caught by the shortstop and Piper took off for home. The throw by the shortstop went over the catcher's head and Pensacola lead the game 4-2 going into the bottom of the last inning.
MCC made the finish a close one. Krystal Jenkins led off the inning with a single. After a fielder's choice and a groundout, Dixon smashed a RBI triple to make the score 4-3. The Lady Eagles were unable to tie up the score, however, as the next batter grounded out to first.
Nicole Bozeman got the win on the mound for the Lady Pirates and Anne McLean was credited with the loss.
Pensacola 8
MCC 0
Pensacola pitcher Dana Gilmore didn't allow a hit and struck out six batters as the visiting Lady Pirates took the second game 8-0 in five innings.
The Lady Pirates jumped out to an early lead in the ballgame as they scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Rachele Richardson walked with one out in the inning and Koprivova hit a homerun to make the score 2-0 after one inning of play.
Pensacola struck for three more in the third inning. Koprivova singled with two outs in the inning. Gilmore walked and Kniffen hit a three-run homer to give the visitors a 5-0 lead.
The Lady Pirates scored three more runs in the fifth inning. Koprivova hit another homerun to make the score 6-0. Gilmore singled and Kniffen reached on an error. After a walk, Mandy Ketner singled in Gilmore and Callie Badeaux followed with single to score Kniffen. The Lady Eagles got out of a bases loaded jam to finish the half inning, but were unable to score a run and lost because they trailed by eight after five innings.