March 20, 2004

Cornell Box Score

Fordham Box Score

Kissimmee, Fla.-- Southeast faced some tough pitching in the final two against Cornell and Fordham at the Rebel Spring games in Florida. They lost a tough one to Cornell in the opener 4-1, and then fell in the second 5-1 to Fordham, bringing the Otahkians record to 5-14 for the season.

The first one was a real battle as Southeast and Cornell were even in the run column for most of the game. The first run of the day for Southeast came across in the top of the third as designated hitter Charlene Ramirez started the offense with a single. The very next batter Kelly Birk was then hit by a pitch. Two batters later Victoria Torrez walked, loading the bases. Catcher Lyndsey Webb stepped up and produced a big two out RBI giving Southeast the lead.

Cornell would come back and tie it up in the bottom half of the inning. First basemen Erin Murtha would lead off the inning with a single, advancing to second on an error. The error would prove to be big as two batters later Melissa Cannon drove Murtha home with a two out single. Cornell would then take the lead in the bottom of the fifth scoring three two out runs. They started the two out rally with a single and a walk bringing up Kate Varde. She then doubled to center field driving home a run. Then Lauren May would add some insurance as she singled home two more.

Southeast bats just never really got started in the game. Cornell pitcher Whitney Smith had her stuff working as she pitched a complete game giving up only three hits and striking out four.

The Southeast offense was a little better in the second game but it was not enough as Fordham outlasted them 5-1. Fordham took the lead in the top of the second due to some poor defense by the Otahks. Jamie Dautel reached base on an error. Fordham moved her over to third with some good fundamentals. Dautel would then score on a two out error that should have ended the inning.

Southeast then tied the game up in the bottom of the third. Stephanie Mata led off the inning with a single. She advanced to third on an error by Fordham centerfielder Kristen Sheldon. Southeast shortstop Amy Murphy then drove her home on a single to right field. That would be the only scoring that the Otahkians could muster in this affair.

Fordham added four runs in the next half inning to make it a 5-1 ballgame and that is how it would stay. Southeast pitcher Kelly Birk came in and had a strong relief appearance shutting down the Fordham bats for the rest of the game. In two innings of work she allowed only one hit in the eight batters she faced.

The Otahkians come home to face Evansville in a doubleheader on Tuesday with the first pitch coming at 2:00 p.m.