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Charlotte Splits with Saint Joseph's to Secure Spot in Conference Tournament
May 4, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. - Behind a two-run third inning, anchored by freshman outfielder Whitney Williams and sophomore outfielder Serena Smith, the Charlotte 49ers (32-29; A-10: 12-8) shutout conference foe Saint Joseph's (18-21; A-10: 11-9) 2-0 in the second game of doubleheader action on Senior Day Sunday afternoon at the D.L. Phillips Softball Complex. The 49ers fell 3-1 in eight innings in the first contest.
Prior to competition, Charlotte honored lone senior outfielder Emily Forbes, a 2007 Atlantic 10 All-Tournament selection and four-year starter.
In the early game, the 49ers held onto the four-hit shutout through five innings, but gave up one run in the sixth to push the game into extra innings. Junior catcher Jaime West led the team offensively with two hits apiece, while junior second baseman Sarah Malene, junior shortstop Cee Brooks, freshman designated player Kendra McCall, Forbes and Williams turned in one each.
Charlotte got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, when West doubled down the left field line to bring home Williams, who reached on a single before stealing second. The Hawks responded in the top of the sixth, though, with a sacrifice fly to left field to score the game-tying run. Charlotte left one runner on base in both the sixth and seventh innings, unable to pull ahead, before Saint Joseph's posted an unanswered two-run homer in the top of the eighth to take the game.
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Despite striking out nine batters, moving her single-season total to 165, and holding the Hawks to eight hits, freshman Katy Hackett (14-16) took the loss in the circle.
In the late game, sophomore Emily Jeffery (17-11) struck out seven en route to her fourth shutout of the season while holding the Hawks to three hits. Charlotte racked up six hits in the contest, two coming from Brooks and one each from Williams, Smith, sophomore utility Keri Palma and junior third baseman Jenny Rumbles.
Charlotte came close to scoring in the bottom of the first when Smith reached third on an outfield error, but failed to capitalize until the third when Williams singled to second base, bringing pinch runner McCall home for the game-winning run. The 49ers added another to the score when Smith doubled through the left side to score Williams. The Hawks came close to scoring with two-outs and a runner on third in the top of the seventh, but a Jeffery strikeout suppressed the rally.
With the win, host Charlotte secures its place in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, held May 7-10 at the D.L. Phillips Softball Complex. Check back later this evening for more information and game times.
