Wednesday, March 10, 2004

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- East Tennessee State's softball team recently returned from the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., where the team played in 10 games in a matter of six days. The Buccaneers went a dissapointing 3-7 on the spring trip, but earned some valuable playing experience early into the season. ETSU lost its first game of the trip on Feb. 29, 3-2, to Detroit Mercy. Later that day, the Bucs turned things around with a 4-2 win over Bethune-Cookman. However, Bethune-Cookman defeated the Bucs the following day on Mar. 1, which was the beginning of a bitter five-game losing streak. ETSU revenged its loss to Detroit Mercy with a 2-0 shutout in order to put an end to the winless stretch. On their final day in sunny Floriday, Mar. 5, the Buccaneers droped a 1-0 decision to LaSalle, but ended the trip on a good note by knocking off Loyola-Chicago 5-3. The Buccaneer's offense struggled, as the team hit just .192 during the 10-game stretch. Lindsay Lane (Erwin, Tenn.) was the only player to hit over .300 with a batting average of .304, including the squad's lone homerun. In the pitcher's circle, workhorse Tiffany McVay (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) went an even 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA over the six-day event. Meanwhile, Belinda Barrera (Fayetteville, N.C.) made two appearances. She didn't allow any runs in 3.2 innings of work. Courtney Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) pitched well, but unfortunately came up on the losing end in four decisions. Jenkins posted a 2.36 ERA in a team-high five appearances.