Feb. 14, 2009

ULM Box Score | Centenary Box Score

MONROE, LA. (Saturday, February 14, 2009) - The Redhawks softball team rallied late to win both games at the ULM Mardi Gras Classic in Monroe, Louisiana this afternoon. In their first game of the day the Redhawks defeated host school Louisiana-Monroe, 4-3 and then defeated Centenary College, 5-4 to improve to 4-1 on the season. The 4-1 start is the program's best start since the 1996 season.

Against the Warhawks (3-4) the Redhawks broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the fifth inning. Freshman Shelby Stein beat out a throw from third base for an infield single. Elise Sperakos then doubled to deep center to move Stein to third. Giana Zimmerman then plated Stein with a bunt single for her second game winning RBI against the Warhawks in the last two days. Sperakos, who moved to third on the bunt single, then scored on a throwing error by the Warhawks starting pitcher Heather Fritz.

The Warhawks made it interesting in the sixth with a solo homerun by Molly McNeill off of Redhawks starter Zimmerman (3-0) to make it a 4-3 game but Zimmerman settled down to retire the Warhawks with a runner in scoring position.

In the seventh, Zimmerman gave up a one-out double to Katie Girardi and again she answered the call and got the final two outs for her second win in as many days against the Warhawks.

The Warhawks, who lost to the Redhawks 4-1 on Friday behind Zimmerman's complete game gem, struck first with a run in the top of the third. The Redhawks answered in their half of the third when freshman Tiffany Blanco reached on an error and later scored on Sperakos' triple to right field. Zimmerman singled up the middle to score Sperakos to give the Redhawks a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth the Warhawks knotted the game up at 2-2 scoring an unearned run.

Zimmerman was outstanding in her second career start as she pitched all seven innings allowing just three runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out three. From the plate she went 2-3 with two RBIs.

Sperakos went a perfect 2-2 from the plate with her two hits going for extra bases. She drove in one and scored twice.

Fritz (1-1) went the distance for the Warhawks in the loss allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and striking out eight batters.

McNeil was one of four Warhawks with multiple hits. She went 2-3 with her solo homerun.

In the nightcap the Redhawks needed a three-run rally and extra innings to defeat the Ladies (5-2). Trailing 4-1 heading into the top of the fifth the Redhawks scored three runs to tie the game 4-4.

Nicole Troncoso and Blanco drew back-to-back walks to start the inning off of Ladies starter Hillary Phillips. Sperakos then reached on a throwing error by the shortstop that plated Troncoso. A wild pitch by Ladies reliever Lauren Highsmith would score Blanco and moved Sperakos to third. Jennifer Vasquez then laced a one-out single to left field that drove in Sperakos to make it 4-4.

The Ladies had their chances to score in the seventh and to win the game in the eighth but Zimmerman shut them down in relief. After giving up a two-single to Allison Shepperd who then stole second, Zimmerman struck out Kalyn Harris swinging to get out of the jam.

In the eighth Zimmerman retired the Ladies in order and leaving the ladies placed runner at second stranded.

The Redhawks were more successful in extra innings. After Vasquez was placed on second, Carmen Fowler singled up the middle to plate Vasquez for the winning run.

The Redhawks scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first when Blanco doubled to center to start the inning. Alex Ramirez then collected a one-out single to drive her in for the quick 1-0 lead.

The Ladies responded with a run the following inning and then exploded for three runs in the fifth inning off of Redhawks starter Stefanie Barnes to jump ahead 4-1 before the late heroics by the Redhawks.

Zimmerman picked up the win in relief, her second win of the day, as she pitched three innings of shutout ball allowing just one hit and striking out four and not issuing a walk.

Barnes allowed four runs (two earned) in five innings in her first collegiate start.

Fowler went 2-4 with the game winning hit. Blanco went 1-3 with two runs scored as six different Redhawks collected hits.

Jessica Bock (3-1) was the loser in relief for the Ladies, she allowed one run on two hits in three innings of work.

Shepperd led the Ladies offensively with a 3-4 evening. Katie Matthews went 2-4 with a double and solo homerun.

The Redhawks will face the Ladies again tomorrow in the conclusion of the Mardi Gras Classic. Gametime is set for 10:00 a.m. with live stats available on www.ulmathletics.com.