Alabama State sweeps Panthers
Freshman Emily Merritt hit a three-run home run in the first game against Alabama State
4/15/2009 9:21:37 PM
Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama State took two games from the 17th-ranked Birmingham-Southern softball team, Wednesday, winning 6-5 in game one and 3-1 in the nightcap. The Hornets move to 15-25, while the Panthers fall to 29-5.
In the first game, BSC scored all five of its runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by freshman Ronni Ferris, an RBI single by freshman Ashley Bice, and a three-run home run by freshman Emily Merritt.
ASU answered with five runs in the bottom of the first to tie things up, courtesy of an RBI single and a grand slam. The score remained tied until the bottom of the fifth when an RBI double gave the Hornets a one-run lead. BSC was unable to score again, and ASU won 6-5.
Junior Tori Harris (7-2) took the loss for BSC after giving up the game-winning run, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing five hits with three strikeouts. Senior Melissa Muehlenfeld started and threw 1.2 innings, giving up four hits and one earned run.
In the nightcap, BSC was the first team to score, putting one run on board in the top of the fifth on a Harris RBI single. ASU tied it up in the bottom of the fifth with a one-run homer, and took the 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run double. The Panthers did not score in the top of the seventh and the Hornets won 3-1.
Ferris (6-1) pitched the complete game for BSC and allowed four hits with six strikeouts for her first loss of the season. Harris led BSC at the plate, going 2-3.
The losses are the first time the Panthers have been swept in a doubleheader this season.
BSC wraps up the 2009 season this weekend on the road, traveling to Conway, Ark., to face Hendrix College in doubleheaders on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.