Seventh Inning Rally Falls Short in Split with Pacers

Meredith College Sports Information Department

Sarah Watson at bat.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- After a 2-1 win over host William Peace in game one of Wednesday's USA South doubleheader, Meredith College softball suffered a disappointing 8-7 loss in the nightcap for a split.

Peace scored first in the bottom of the third of game one on a RBI-single. After a scoreless fourth, Sarah Watson led off for the Angels with her second home run on the season to tie the game. Kaitlyn Sawyer advanced on a single but was caught stealing second to clear the bases.

Brittany Bucklin scored the eventual game winner on her fifth career homer later in the inning to edge Meredith in front for good.

Taylor Jackson earned WPU's solo run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts, and Pacer Morgan Farmer recorded her third loss allowing seven hits with two earned runs, three walks, and five strikeouts.

The Pacers took an early 1-0 lead in game two on a double in the bottom of the first. The Angels' Eran Artigues drilled a ball over the fence in the top of the second but was stripped of her home run on an appeal from William Peace Coach Charlie Dobbins, who claimed she failed to touch home plate.

Meredith recovered from the disappointing call and loaded the bases in the top of the third. Erica Occena scored Bryce Smith on a single to left, and Courtney Saunders drove in Watson in the next at-bat to take a 2-1 lead.

William Peace regained the advantage in the bottom of the frame on a two-run homer and scored two more runs with a second home run in the next inning to extend their lead 5-2.

The Angels closed the gap with a run in each of the next two frames to trail by just one heading into the seventh.

With two outs on the board, Saunders doubled to right field. Bucklin drove in Saunders on a double to the same field to keep the Angels alive, and Maria Annunziata gave Meredith a two run advantage with her ninth home run on the season.

In the bottom of the frame, Peace led off with a single through the right side. A hard hit single to right center brought the go-ahead run to the plate, and Kelsey Durham tied the game on a tough fly ball to right. Durham jogged in for the win on a wild pitch to close out the split.

Lauren Marbrey faced 19 batters through 3.2 innings allowing five earned runs with three strikeouts. Jackson entered in relief in the bottom of the fourth and earned three runs on seven hits with one K for the loss. Kim Cook earned her fourth win for the Pacers.

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2

Panthers Sweep Softball 8-7, 4-2 in League DH

Meredith College Sports Information Department

Charley Cox gets ready to hit her first collegiate home run!

LAGRANGE, N.C. -- The Meredith College softball Avenging Angels dropped a pair of USA South games Sunday afternoon at LaGrange with scores of 8-7 and 4-2. Rookies Bryce Smith and Kaitlyn Sawyer combined for seven hits to lead the Angels.

In game one Meredith scored three runs on four hits, including a two-RBI homer from Maria Annunziata, in the bottom of the sixth. But the two runners on base at the end of the frame left the Angels one run shy to continue the game.

The Panthers held a 4-0 lead heading into the top of the sixth in game two. Meredith drove in one run in each of the next two innings but left the tying run on base in the seventh to give LaGrange the sweep.

Lauren Marbrey started in the circle in game one and faced 23 batters in four innings. She allowed nine hits with four earned runs, one walk and a pair of strikeouts for the loss. Jackson allowed three hits with three earned runs, three walks, and a pair of Ks in relief. In the nightcap Jackson took the loss with a complete game. She tallied seven hits with just one earned run, one walk and six strikeouts.

Nine Angels notched at least one hit in the day's opener with homers from Smith and Charley Cox and doubles from Sarah Watson and Courtney Saunders. Brittany Bucklin sacrificed in the third to drive in Meredith's second run of the frame.

In the top of the sixth of game two, Smith led off with a double and Cox drove her in to put the Angels on the board. With two runners on base in the seventh, a Panther misstep allowed Bucklin to score on the play.

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2

Softball Angels Split League Doubleheader with Hawks

Meredith College Sports Information Department

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Meredith College softball Angels split Saturday's USA South doubleheader with the Huntingdon Hawks. The hosts earned a 3-1 win in game one, and Maria Annunziata crushed her seventh home run of the season in game two to lift the Angels over the Hawks for a 5-2 victory.

Huntingdon outhit the Avenging Angels 7-4 in game one, scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Hawks third and game winning run scored off an infield error in the same series.

In the top of the fifth, Erica Occena reached first on a third strike passed ball and stole second to place herself in scoring position. Brittany Bucklin obliged with a RBI-single to left to put Meredith on the board.

Lauren Marbrey recorded her fifth loss for the Angels allowing seven hits with two earned runs, a pair of walks and five strikeouts. Huntingdon's Raina Lanier struckout eight Angels with four hits, no earned runs and two walks for the win.

Down 2-1 heading into the top of the fifth in game two, Kayla North punched a single to third, and Ellen Blevins moved her to second with a single to the opposite side of the field. Occena entered to run for North at second, and Bucklin kept the bats moving to send Occena home to tie the game.

A Panther pitching change backfired as Courtney Saunders doubled to left field in the next at-bat to score Blevins for the lead. Smith drove Bucklin home on a sacrifice fly to give the Angels a 4-2 advantage.

The Meredith defense held the Hawks in the bottom of the inning, and Annuziata's homer finished off the scoring in the top of the next frame for the win.

Taylor Jackson allowed four hits with two earned runs, three walks and four strikeouts for her seventh win on the season. Lindsey Selph faced 22 batters in 4.1 innings for the loss. She allowed four hits with three earned runs, five walks and four strikeouts on the day.

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2

Brittany Bucklin Recognized as a Top Performer from the NFCA

From Meredith Angels Softball - Facebook

Congratulations to Brittany Bucklin! 

Her efforts at the plate during Spring Break week earned her a spot in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top Performances! 

Great Job!!

Link to article on on the NFCA website

Bishops Take Two from Softball

Meredith College Sports Information Department

Talking it over between batters

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The visiting N.C. Wesleyan Bishops slipped ahead of the Meredith College softball team late in game one of Saturday's doubleheader to win 7-6 and scored on an unearned run in a 4-3 game two victory to secure a sweep in USA South action. Maria Annunziata went four-for-six on the day with three runs batted in to lead the Avenging Angels.

With a 6-2 lead heading into the top of the seventh, the Avenging Angels appeared to have game one under control. But a leadoff double followed by a single to left placed two Bishops on base, and the runners advanced one bag apiece on a passed ball. With one out the fourth batter walked to load the bases, and Meredith changed pitchers.

An unfortunate Wesleyan grand slam moved the visitors into the lead by one, and the Bishops defense snuffed Meredith's chance to score with the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame for the win.

Starting pitcher Taylor Jackson faced 34 batters and allowed 10 hits with four earned runs, five walks, and three strikeouts, while Lauren Marbrey took the loss after entering in the seventh to allow one hit and one earned run. Wesleyan's Logan Lowery allowed 12 hits with six earned runs, four walks, and two K's for the win.

N.C. Wesleyan maintained the momentum in the nightcap and took an early 3-0 lead through two.

In the bottom of the third, Erica Occena led off with a single, and Bryce Smith pushed her to the corner on a double to left. Bucklin scored Occena, and Annunziata drove in Smith to put Meredith on the board. Bucklin scored on the next at-bat to tie the game at threes.

The Bishops would need just one more run in the top of the fifth to secure the sweep.

Marbrey registered her second loss on the day allowing seven hits in seven innings with three earned runs and three strikeouts. Shelby Godwin earned her second win on the season allowing five hits through five innings with three earned runs, five walks, and one strikeout. Bishop Lindsay Sharpe took over in the sixth to earn the save.

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2

The Spring Games during Spring Break

Meredith College Sports Information Department

Day One: Softball Opens Spring Break with Pair of Losses

Brittany Bucklin ready to hit one of her two hits
against nationally ranked Moravian.

CLERMONT, Fla. -- The Meredith College softball team recorded 16 hits, including seven with extra bases, but recorded a pair of losses in Monday's opening day of spring break action. The nationally ranked Moravian Greyhounds edged Meredith 8-5 in game one, and Susquehanna University finished off the Angels 8-4 in the second.

Versus the Moravian Greyhounds, ranked 22nd nationally among NCAA Division III programs, Ellen Blevins and Brittany Bucklin led Meredith with two hits, including a two-RBI-double apiece.

Moravian opened the scoring in the top of the third on a three-hit-three-run performance, but the Angels responded in the bottom of the frame with Blevins' two-base hit.

Greyhound Victoria Connor drilled her second homer of the day in the fourth to advance Moravian's lead, and three Meredith errors in the top of the fifth continued the rally. The Angels extended Moravian's at-bat in the top of the sixth to move the Greyhounds to an 8-2 advantage.

But the Avenging Angels would not back down. Maria Annunziata kicked off the rally with a triple, and Eran Artigues advanced on a walk. Bucklin scored both runners, including Erica Occena who subbed in to run for Artigues, in the next at-bat.

Bryce Smith forced a Greyhound pitching change with a single, and Sarah Watson pulled Meredith to within three on an infield miscue. But Moravian ended the threat on the next play.

The Meredith bats continued to swing in game two versus the Susquehanna Crusaders leading off with home runs from Bucklin and Courtney Saunders to give the Angels a 3-0 advantage in the first frame.

SU hit two of their own to slip in front 4-3, but Meredith tied the game on a two-hit, one run series in the top of the third. Unfortunately, the Angels' defense fell apart in the bottom of the fifth to allow the Crusaders four runs to secure the win.

Taylor Jackson pitched a complete game for a loss versus Moravian and entered in the fifth for a loss versus Susquehanna. Greyhound Josie Novak earned her second win in game one, and Jamie Fesinstine pitched a complete game for SU for the win.

Box Score - Moravian

Box Score - Susquehanna

House 1

House 2

Day Two: Softball Wins Two with Bucklin and Watson Leading the Way

Sarah Watson readies for her home run hit!

CLERMONT, Fla. -- Brittany Bucklin continues to lead the Meredith College softball team as the Angels capture a pair of wins Tuesday at The Spring Games in Clermont, Florida. Bucklin went three-for-three in a 5-2 win over Haverford College, and Sarah Watson sparked the Angels with a home run in a 7-2 victory over the Millsaps Majors.

With both teams scoreless in the fourth, Bucklin ripped a double to left and Eran Artigues drove her home with one of her own. The Angels picked up one more run on a Fords miscue to take a 2-0 lead.

Lauren Marbrey and her defense held Haverford in the top of the fifth, and Ellen Blevins kept the bats moving with a single in the bottom of the frame. Shortstop Bryce Smith scored Blevins on a two-base hit, and Bucklin ripped her second double through the left side to push the Angels to a four run advantage.

Courtney Saunders finished off the scoring with a RBI-single in the sixth to secure the win for Meredith.

Taylor Jackson earned her fifth season win allowing five hits with just one earned run, one walk and five strikeouts. Haverford's Sara Tauriello registered the loss allowing six hits in five innings with three earned runs and four K's.

Meredith opened game two with a run in the top of the first, and Julia Allsbrook recorded her second RBI on the season in the second inning.

The Majors drove in a run in the bottom of the third, but Watson's fourth-inning dinger lifted the Angels to a 4-1 advantage. The energy in the dugout continued through the fifth, as Meredith scored three more runs on a pair of hits and one error to finish off Millsaps.

Marbrey pitched a complete game allowing no earned runs on four hits with as many strikeouts. Millsaps starting pitcher Mary Claire Shepard recorded the loss allowing three earned runs on four hits and five walks in 4.2 innings pitched.

Box Score - Haverford
Box Score - Millsaps

 

Day Three: Hits, Hits, Hits as Softball Wins Two More in Florida

Lauren Marbrey works for the strikeout.

CLERMONT, Fla. -- In the final day of The Spring Games, the Meredith College Avenging Angels softball team cruised to a 14-4, six-inning win over the Muhlenberg Mules on 18 hits, including a trio of home runs, and finished off Wesley College 3-1 with seven more.

Brittany Bucklin, Maria Annunziata, and Eran Artigues each hit a dinger in game one, while Bucklin, Megan Tarpey, and Courtney Saunders -- twice -- advanced on a two-base hit. RBI's filled the stats with Bucklin and Artigues earning three apiece.

Taylor Jackson earned her sixth season win in the circle allowing seven hits with just one earned run and eight strikeouts. Muhlenberg's Haley Peterson took the loss with seven earned runs, two walks, and a pair of K's.

Game two versus the Wesley Wolverines started out with three error-free innings for the Angels leading to a four hit, three run series to take control of the game.

In the top of the sixth, Wesley led off with a single and moved the runners into scoring position with a double to left field. Lauren Marbrey struckout the third batter and took care of the next batter at first.

With two outs on the board and two runners on base, Wesley's Kateri Peters advanced on an infield error to score a run. Unphased with the offensive effort, Marbrey struckout the Wolverine's right fielder to get Meredith out of the inning unharmed.

The Avenging Angels' defense put away Wesley in the top of the seventh to finish of the win.

Marbrey allowed five hits with no earned runs to go along with two walks and three strikeouts for her fifth career win. Lindsay Siok registered the loss for Wesley with three earned runs in seven hits, one walk, and five strikeouts for the loss.

Box Score - Wesley

Box Score - Muhlenberg

Ready for day 3 in Florida!

Ervin Leads MC Softball in Split with Monarchs

Meredith College Sports Information Department

Haley Ervin runs out one of her 4 hits for the day.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Errors plagued the Meredith College softball defense in a 6-4 loss to the visiting Methodist Monarchs. The Avenging Angels responded with an 8-3 victory in game two to complete a split in the USA South Conference opener. Haley Ervin went four-of-four at the plate to lead Meredith's offense on the day.

There were few positive moments in Saturday's Noon game as the Angels allowed MU to score their first run with two miscues in the opening frame. With two outs on the scoreboard in the top of the second, things went from bad to worse as three more Monarchs crossed the plate on a pair of Angel errors.

Brittany Bucklin crushed a ball over the left field fence to lead off the bottom of the second inning, and Bryce Smith scored Katie Kepley to put Meredith on the board with two.

The Avenging Angels held Methodist in the top of the third, and Eran Artigues led off in the bottom of the inning with a single. Maria Annunziata advanced on a single through the left side to push Artigues to second, and Kaitlyn Sawyer entered to run. Courtney Saunders drilled a ball down the left field line to score Sawyer and pull the Angels to within one.

But the effort was shortlived as another infield error extended the Monarch lead yet again. Lauren Marbrey relieved Taylor Jackson in the circle and allowed one more unearned run to cross the plate before closing out the frame. The Angels scored one more with help from a Monarch misstep, but MU held on for the win.

A more focused Meredith squad showed up for game two as Artigues opened the scoring with a two-RBI homer. Sarah Watson scored Bucklin just before Saunders was picked off trying to extend her run.

Methodist responded in the top of the second, and the teams continued to battle to a 4-3 Meredith advantage through three innings.

Scoreless through the next two innings, Watson jumpstarted the Angels in the bottom of the sixth with a hard hit single back to the pitcher. Watson moved to third with aggressive base running to ready for Annunziata who stepped in to pinch hit for Charley Cox. With a strong single to the short stop, Annunziata scored Watson. Sawyer advanced on a base-on-balls, and Alyssa D'arco cleared the bases with her second career home run (first out of the park) to secure the split for the Angels.

Jackson took the loss in game one but finished out the nightcap for her first save on the year. Marbrey earned her third win in the second.

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2