Tuesday, April 06, 2004

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 6, 2004) - Struggles on offense and an opportunistic Radford squad made for a perplexing combination as the East Tennessee State University softball team dropped a pair of games in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday at Metro-Kiwanis Park. The Highlanders, behind complete-game shutout efforts from pitchers Jennifer Bosley and Breanna Felix, swept the twinbill 6-0 and 3-0. With the wins, Radford improved to 22-23 overall, while the Lady Bucs dropped to 21-20. In the first game, Radford scored a single run in the top of the second inning on a triple by Colleen Casey and a RBI single from Danielle Tompkins. In the top of the fourth, the Highlanders exploded for five runs thanks to three hits, a pair of walks and an ETSU error. For the game, Tompkins and Sara Beth Clayton collected a pair of RBIs, while Casey and Amanda Walling each had two hits apiece. On the mound in game one, Bosley got the win by going the distance and allowing only six hits. ETSU's Courtney Jenkins (2-6) suffered the loss. For the Lady Bucs, left fielder Rhea Holler (Peoria, Ariz.) and shortstop Mary Beth Hazelwood (Knoxville, Tenn.) were the lone bright spots with two hits apiece. In game two, Radford got all the offensive production it would need in the top of the third inning. With three-straight singles off the bats of Lara Wohlgemuth, Lindsay Wood and Sara Beth Clayton, the Highlanders loaded the bases. A walk to Ashley Smith brought home one run and then a two-out, two-run single by Casey did the rest of the damage. Felix was strong on the mound, going all seven innings and allowing just three hits. For ETSU, Belinda Barerra (Fayetteville, N.C.) took the loss at dropped to 8-9 on the season. The Lady Bucs will return to Southern Conference play on Friday when they travel to UNC Greensboro for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. ETSU will then face the Spartans in a single game on Sunday. Meanwhile, Radford returns to action on Wednesday at home against Appalachian State, with first pitch set for 4 p.m.