Charlotte Falls to No. 4 Tennesee and Illinois State in Opening Day of NFCA Lead Off Classic
March 1, 2008
Columbus, Ga. - Despite a two-RBI performance from both sophomore outfielder Serena Smith and junior catcher Jaime West, the Charlotte 49ers (7-7) dropped their opening two games at the NFCA Lead Off Classic Friday afternoon, falling 8-4 to No. 4 Tennessee and 9-2 to Illinois State. Freshman pitcher Katy Hackett kept the 49ers in the fight in the first game, giving up just five runs on five hits in five innings pitched against 2007 national runner-up Tennessee, before appearing in relief in the late game.
In the first game, sophomore utility Keri Palma allowed Charlotte to surge ahead 4-3 in the third, singling to bring home freshman pinch runner Kendra McCall, before scoring herself when junior Jenny Rumbles advanced to second on an error. Smith then tallied her two RBI on the day when she sent junior second baseman Sarah Malene and Rumbles across the plate on a single up the middle. Tennessee answered in the bottom of the inning, though, with two runs, followed by three more in the sixth to take the game.
Smith, West, freshman designated player Tenaya Tucker and Palma each recorded one hit in the contest.
In the late game, Charlotte opened scoring in the bottom of the third, as a clean-up West single to right field brought home Smith and Rumbles, pushing the 49ers ahead 2-0. Illinois State, who tallied nine runs on ten hits, responded in the fifth with a heavy seven-run performance, followed by a two-run sixth inning, to push the game out of reach.
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Malene and Rumbles led Charlotte with three and two hits, respectively, while Smith, West and Forbes each chipped in with one.
The 49ers return to action tomorrow against Auburn and Georgia Tech in day two of the NFCA Lead Off Classic.
