2016 Team Picture

2016 Team Picture
Front row: Haley Ervin, Kaitlyn Sawyer, Janelle Sanford, Charley Cox, Leigh Ann Charles, Alyssa D'Arco, Ellen Blevins. Middle row: Kayla North, Julia Allsbrook, Megan Tarpley, Eran Artigues, Lauren Marbrey, Keenan Bunn, Taylor Jackson, Madison Perry. Back row: Coach Kim Scavone, Captain Courtney Saunders, Brittany Bucklin, Erica Occena, Bryce Smith, Sarah Watson, Katie Kepley, Maria Annunziata.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Saunders/Smith Lead Softball in Sweep Over Scots

Courtney Saunders ready to deliver an RBI.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- In Saturday's USA South doubleheader the Meredith College softball team earned a sweep over the visiting Covenant Scots with a 9-8 win in game one and a 7-4 victory in the nightcap. Courtney Saunders and Bryce Smith combined for eight hits and nine RBI to lead the Avenging Angels on the day.

In game one Meredith held a 6-2 advantage heading into the sixth, but a five-run rally in the top of the frame edged the Scots ahead by one. Lauren Marbrey finally closed out the inning on a strikeout.

The Angels tied the game in the bottom of the frame with a double from Smith and precision hitting on a Sarah Watson sacrifice to advance the runner to third. Julia Allsbrook followed the plan and scored Smith on a sacrifice fly.

Covenant loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and the dp Shannon Schmitt hit a line drive to left to score Kasey Hart. Meredith Head Coach Kim Scavone appealed that the second base runner left early, and the Angels earned the third out on the double play. Scavone protested the scored run, but the failed effort left the Scots with an 8-7 advantage heading into the bottom of the inning.

With two outs on the board, Maria Annunziata put the tying run on base with a long single to the shortstop. The poised and experienced Saunders stepped up for a double to the right field gap to score Annunziata. Scavone subbed in Haley Ervin to run for Saunders, and Eran Artigues drove her home for the win.

Marbrey relieved Taylor Jackson during the Scot's sixth-inning rally to record her sixth win on the season. Marbrey faced seven batters to allow two hits, no earned runs and one strikeout. Covenant's Tyler Epes recorded the loss allowing 12 hits with seven earned runs and two strikeouts.

Brittany Bucklin kept the momentum going with a two-RBI double in the first inning of game two. In the bottom of the second, she stepped to the plate with the bases loaded to drive in Meredith's third run. Smith advanced the Angels' lead to four with a RBI-walk.

The Scots chipped away at their four-run deficit during the next two at-bats, but Saunders extended Meredith's advantage on a three-RBI dinger over the left field fence in the bottom of the fourth.

Covenant scored twice more, but the Angels held on for the sweep.

Marbrey pitched a complete game in the nightcap to earn the win, and Covenant's Cris Gant recorded the loss.