Friday, February 21, 2003

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 21, 2003) - East Tennessee State softball defeated Robert Morris, 11-3, and fell to SoCon rival College of Charleston, 8-0, in Friday action of the First Pitch Classic, hosted by Charlotte from the Phillips Softball Complex in Charlotte, N.C. The Bucs (2-4) scored in all but one inning against Robert Morris in ETSU's morning game. The Buccaneers jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Colonials (0-2) scored three runs in the top of the third to take the lead. But the Bucs responded quickly, scoring nine unanswered runs to seal the game. Freshman left fielder Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.) went 4-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI's. Both junior Rhea Holler (Peoria, Ariz.) and freshman Jessica Lonsinger (Dale City, Va.) had two hits and two RBI, and Holler added three RBI's. Junior pitcher Tiffany McVay (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) picked up her first win of the young season, pitching six innings while allowing three earned runs and striking out seven. The Buccaneers were not as fortunate in their second and final game of the day, as they fell to College of Charleston, 8-0. East Tennessee State will return to action for day two of the First Pitch Classic from Phillips Softball Complex in Charlotte, N.C.