Tuesday, March 15, 2005

#11 SAINTS CRUISE PAST LADY EAGLES IN SOFTBALL
NGCSU Blasts Four Home Runs in Two Games

Waleska, Ga. – Junior shortstop Lynsey Thompson (Dacula, Ga.) blasted two home runs in the first game and went two-for-three in the second game to lead North Georgia College & State University past Reinhardt College 11-0 and 9-0.

Game 1

The Saints (16-9, 4-0) scored at least one run in four of the five innings in the first game. North Georgia put five runs on the board in the second inning with a three run homer by Thompson followed by a solo shot from junior first baseman Lara Seamon (Richfield Springs, N.Y.). The Saints had the bases loaded with only one out in the second, but a couple of strikeouts by Lady Eagles (3-21, 3-3) freshman starting pitcher Melina White (Dalton, Ga.) stopped the rally to make the score 7-0.

Thompson knocked her second home run in the fifth inning with one runner on to finish the game with five RBI's. The Saints went on to score three more runs to make the score 11-0.

Senior staring pitcher Beth Willis (Williamson, Ga.) and sophomore reliever Danielle Rainey (Lawrenceville, Ga.) combined for a no-hitter. Rainey was perfect in her single inning of work and Willis allowed only three Lady Eagles to reach base in five innings of work. Willis also struck out nine of the 15 batters she faced.

Box Score

Game 2

North Georgia once again pounded the softball as they scored nine runs off of 12 hits. The Saints also only missed one scoring opportunity in the second inning and knocked in three runs in the third and fifth innings. Senior second baseman Annie Ball (Marietta, Ga.) crushed a three run home run in the third inning to put North Georgia up 4-0. A two run fourth and three run fifth sealed the win for the Saints.

Willis worked four strong innings again and allowed only one hit while striking out four. She improved her record to 9-3 overall and lowered her ERA to 2.08. RC freshman starter Krista Lester (Snellville, Ga.) took the loss after pitching five innings and allowing nine earned runs off of 12 hits.

North Georgia will be back in action this Thursday as they host Brenau University for a 5:00 p.m. double-header. Be sure to come out as the Saints will also be in their green uniforms in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Box Score