March 18, 2009

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

ELON, N.C. (Wednesday, March 18, 2009) - The Redhawks softball team ran into a literal road block in their "Spring Break" road trip as they dropped both of their games against nonconference opponent Elon University at East Field on Wednesday afternoon. In game one the Redhawks dropped a 4-2 decision before falling in the nightcap, 8-1.

The Redhawks (9-7) struck first in game one as they scored two runs in the top of the third. Elise Sperakos hit a solo homerun with one out. Freshman Shelby Stein followed that with a double down the left field line. Alex Ramirez plated Stein with a line drive single to center.

The Phoenix (7-8) answered with two unearned runs in their half of the third to knot the game at two-all.

Redhawks starter Giana Zimmerman gave away to sophomore Whitney Dupuis in the fifth inning. Dupuis wasn't greeted very well by the opposition as Brandi Jones launched a two-run homerun to give the Phoenix the 4-2 lead.

Phoneix reliever Erin O'Shea shutdown the Redhawks the final two innings for the victory.

Dupuis was collared with the loss and falls to 2-4 on the year. She allowed two runs on three hits in two innings of relief. Zimmerman pitched 4.0 innings allowing two unearned runs on two hits and struckout three.

Senior Lauren Bradley went 2-3 from the plate in her second game back from a preseason injury. For Sperakos her homerun was her second of the season, tying her for the team lead.

In game two the Phoenix quickly jumped ahead on the Redhawks and starter Stefanie Barnes scoring one run in the first and two runs in the second before the Redhawks scored in their half of the third to make it a two-run game, 3-1.

Ramirez got the RBI for the Redhawks as she drove in Sperakos with single through the right-side of the infield.

The Redhawks had a chance to tie the game in the fourth inning but stranded two runners in scoring position.

In the fifth the Phoenix added a run before exploding for four runs on five hits in the bottom half of the sixth for the final margin.

Barnes (2-1) received her first loss of the season pitching six innings allowing eight runs on 11 hits.

Pam Delpizzo recorded her first win of the season with a complete game. She allowed one unearned run on six hits.

Ramirez recorded her fourth multiple hit game of the season going 2-4 from the plate with one RBI. Sophomore Nicole Troncoso went 1-3 to extend her team-high hitting streak to six games. Stein went 1-3 and extended her current hitting streak to four games.

Bradley went 1-3 as well and has hit safely in all three games she has appeared in since returning to the starting lineup.

The Redhawks end their road trip this weekend as they open up Ohio Valley Conference play at Morehead State. They will start the series with a doubleheader on Friday, March 20 starting at noon.