Sunday, February 23, 2003

Charlotte, N.C. (Feb. 23, 2003) - East Tennessee State's softball team fell to Pittsburgh 3-1 Sunday, eliminating the Buccaneers from UNC Charlotte's First Pitch Classic. Junior pitcher Tiffany McVay (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) pitched all seven innings for the Buccaneers, allowing just two hits, while striking out eight. Pitt's three runs, all of which were unearned, came in the top of the fourth inning to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead. ETSU put together a modest rally in the bottom of half of the frame, thanks to a solo home run by sophomore third baseman Lindsay Lane (Erwin, Tenn.). Despite outhitting the Pitt 5-2, the Bucs left six runners stranded and were unable to produce any more runs. Also collecting hits for ETSU were Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.), Rhea Holler (Peoria, Ariz.), Jessica Lonsinger (Dale City, Va.), and Julia Chance (Knoxville, Tenn.), who eached finished the day 1-for-3 at the plate. With the loss, the Buccaneers fall to 2-5 overall. ETSU will travel to Tennessee to take on the Volunteers this Wednesday, Feb. 26, in a doubleheader. Game one is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.