Wednesday, March 23, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. (March 23, 2005) - On a windy afternoon in Johnson City, the East Tennessee State Lady Bucs swept the Morehead State Eagles 8-0 and 6-2 this afternoon from Metro Kiwanis Park.  Allowing just one hit in the first contest of the afternoon, and just eight hits for the day, ETSU improves to 12-17 for the year, while the Eagles fall to 6-14 thus far in 2005.  Leading the way for the Bucs was Mary Beth Hazelwood (Knoxville, Tenn.) who recorded four hits for the day, adding four runs batted in, while Amanda Haverman (Kirkwood, Mo.) added three hits and one run in the sweep.

Game one saw ETSU jump out to an early 7-0 lead after a five-run second inning highlighted by a Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.) triple and a Dani Spetar (Knoxville, Tenn.) double gave the Bucs the dominating lead.  Pitcher Courtney Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) allowed just one hit and recorded four strikeouts in the victory, while freshman reliever Brittney Lehrschall (Leland, N.C.) pitched two perfect innings recording the save.  ETSU recorded 10 hits, eight RBI, and allowed just one base runner in the quick five-inning contest.

After the dominating victory in game one, ETSU came out with the same fire in the second game of the day taking the 2-0 advantage following the third inning.  Behind a Stephanie Gaynord (Manassas, Va.) sacrifice sending Spetar to the plate for the second Lady Bucs run in the bottom of the third, the Bucs offense continued to dominate at the plate.  Although the ETSU defense was near perfect for the day, the Morehead State Eagles scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning after a bases loaded single by the Eagle offense neared the score at 3-2. 

Lehrschall entered the game in the top of the sixth striking out Jolene Workman to end the inning for the Eagle offense.  Led by a Spetar two RBI single, ETSU added three runs in the bottom of the sixth to secure the 6-2 victory and the two-game sweep for the day.  Lady Bucs pitcher Belinda Barrera (Fayetteville, N.C.) tallied five strikeouts allowing just four hits during the second game of the afternoon, while Haverman and Lehrschall allowed just three hits in relief.

Hazelwood led ETSU with four hits and four runs batted in, while Sprague added two runs and two runs batted in for the afternoon.  Spetar and Gaynord each added two runs for the afternoon, while the Lady Bucs pitching staff held the Eagle offense to a .186 batting average for the day. 

ETSU returns to action Friday, March 25, when they open Southern Conference play hosting the Georgia Southern Eagles for a three-game series.  The conference double-header will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Metro Kiwanis Park.