Softball Steals Extra-Inning Win from No. 6 Christopher Newport, 6-5

From Meredith Sports Information Department

Amanda Beirne pitches to the Captains of Christopher Newport.

RALEIGH, N.C. - In a nine-inning thriller the Meredith College softball team defeated no. 6 Christopher Newport 6-5 in game one of today's USA South doubleheader. After a rain delay extended the 1 p.m. game, the second matchup was stopped in the top of the second with a score of 2-2 due to darkness. The teams will reconvene at a later date to complete the series.

Down a run in the bottom of the ninth of game one, Amanda White advanced the tiebreaker runner Mindi Stallings to third on a bunt and picked up an extra base on the throw. Ashley Green walked and Lorri Cole lined out to left field for the first out. Shortstop Alex Warren battled at the plate on the next at-bat and posted an RBI-walk to end the game in favor of the Avenging Angels.

Senior pitcher Amanda Beirne notched her second win this season allowing four earned runs on seven hits, 11 walks and four strikeouts. Krista Townsend took the loss for CNU allowing three hits with as many walks and strikeouts.

The Captains opened the day with a 2-RBI homer to take the early lead in Raleigh.

With two outs in the bottom of the frame, White singled up the middle and Green sent her to third on a double drilled down the leftfield line. Cole scored them both on a double to right center to tie the game.

CNU added a run in each of the next two stanzas to take a two-run lead in the top of the third.

In the bottom of the frame, Cole launched another double to leftfield and advanced to third on a single to right center from Warren. Rookie Courtney Saunders picked up a sacrifice fly to right field to score Cole and pull Meredith to within one.

The Avenging Angels tied the game at four on an RBI-double from Stallings in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cheyenne Parrish, who stepped in to run for Whitney Williams, scored on the play. The Captains entered Townsend who struck out Cole to end the run and force the game into extra innings down the stretch.

Box Score - Game 1