March 15, 2008

Box Score

RICHMOND, Ken. - (Saturday, March 15, 2008) The Redhawks softball team started the Ohio Valley Conference portion of their schedule on a sour note as they suffered a 6-2 come-from-behind loss to Eastern Kentucky at Gertrude Hood Field on Saturday afternoon. With the Redhawks leading 2-1 heading into the sixth inning, Jena Handley connected on a grand slam off of Elaine Fisher (St. Peters, MO/Francis Howell North) to secure the victory.

Once again the Redhawks (10-12, 0-1 OVC) utilized the longball for their runs. Unfortunately they couldn't capitalize when runners reached base as they stranded eight runners.

The Redhawks got their first run in the top of the fourth as Stacia Dopudja (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Santa Margarita Catholic) led off with her solo shot to left field. Lauren Bradley (Overland Park, KS/Shawnee Mission South) then followed her with a walk and moved to third on a wild pitch and sacrifice bunt. With one out Katie Otterness (Schaumburg, IL/Hoffman Estates) singled to the third baseman which kept Bradley from scoring. Otterness then stole second to put two runners in scoring postion with only one out. Carmen Fowler (Lawrenceville, GA/Collins Hill) then popped up to shallow left center which was not deep enough for Bradley to tag and score. Lindsey Woodworth (Sparta, IL/Sparta) then struckout to end the Redhawks threat.

The Colonels (11-7, 1-0 OVC) scored a run in their half of the fourth off of Fisher to tie the game at one run apiece. With two runners on Fisher struckout Katie Rolf to end the inning and preventing any further damage.

In the fifth inning Michelle Summers (Glendale, CA/Hoover) led-off with solo shot to right center for her second homerun in as many games. The homer was her 40th of her career, a school record. It was also her 196th career hit which moved her pass Traci Eudaley for second all-time.

In the sixth the Redhawks had yet another chance to score runs but stranded two runners.

The Colonels struck in the bottom of the sixth as they loaded the bases with one out on Fisher on only one hit. Handley then took Fisher down the leftfield line for her second homerun of the season. Erin Luther then added a solo shot with two out down the rightfield line for the final margin of victory.

Fisher (5-8) went the distance for her 10th complete game in 12 starts. She allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits while striking out two and issuing two walks. Her start was her 88th of her career tying her with Debbie Schmelz for second all-time.

Kalyn Fox (2-2) got the win for the Colonels in relief as she pitched three innings of one-hit shutout softball.

Summers collected her second-straight multi-hit game and her 11th of the season with a 2-4 day at the plate.

Otterness went 2-3 for her third multi-hit game of the season.

The Redhawks look to bounce back tomorrow as they conclude the series at Gertrude Hood Field with a doubleheader. First game is set to start at noon. The twinbill was switched to Sunday from it's original Saturday scheduling.