MISENHEIMER, N.C. --- Holli Crickenberger
(Boydton, Va.) drove in three runs and pitched a nine-inning
shutout in game two to lead the Lees-McRae College softball team to
a doubleheader sweep of Pfeiffer University in Conference Carolinas
play on Sunday afternoon.
Lees-McRae (12-19, 3-1 CC) won the opener by a score of 6-0,
before outlasting Pfeiffer (14-21, 4-6 CC) by a tally of 1-0 in a
nine-inning battle in game two. The Bobcats tallied 10 hits on the
day, including seven base knocks in game one, as Pfeiffer also
posted 10 hits in the twin-bill.
Karli Robb (Hayes, Va.) and Lori Fulmer (Prosperity, S.C.) each
tallied three hits to pace the Bobcats, as Fulmer went 2-for-2 in
the night cap and Robb posted a 2-for-4 performance in the opener.
Crickenberger went 2-for-2 with three RBI in game one, stroking two
doubles and driving in three runs.
Laurel Gregg (Mars Hill, N.C.) got the nod in game one, pitching
six shutout innings as Kristen Oakes (Lenoir, N.C.) held the
Falcons off the scoreboard with a scoreless seventh. Crickenberger
took the ball in game two, tossing nine shutout innings while
scattering four hits and striking out 10.
Game One: Lees-McRae 6, Pfeiffer 0 (Box Score)
Gregg pitched a gem, tossing six shutout innings while
scattering three hits and striking out four. Crickenberger led the
way for the Bobcat offense with a pair of doubles and three RBI, as
Robb and Kim Coley (Marion, N.C.) each drove in a run.
The Bobcats opened the scoring in the third, pushing across two
runs on back-to-back RBI doubles by Coley and Crickenberger to take
a 2-0 lead. After Robb stretched the advantage to 3-0 with an RBI
single in the fourth, Crickenberger roped a two-run double to
center, scoring Robb and Kierstie Moon (Oxford, Ga.) to give the
Bobcats a 5-0 lead. Brooke Sheridan (Rosman, N.C.) would score on a
failed pickoff attempt in the fifth to cap the scoring at 6-0.
Game Two: Lees-McRae 1, Pfeiffer 0 - 9 innings (Box Score)
The nightcap proved to be a classic pitcher's duel, as neither
starter surrendered a run through the first eight innings, sending
the contest into a second extra inning knotted at 0-0. Lees-McRae
broke the deadlock in the ninth, taking a 1-0 lead when Robb drove
in Amanda Decker (Apex, N.C.) from third.
Crickenberger answered the call in the bottom of the inning,
striking out two of the first three batters she faced as Patterson
stroked a one-out single to center to put runners on first and
third for the Falcons. Ashlee Allen then drew a four-pitch walk to
load the bases following the second strikeout, before Crickenberger
forced a ground out to first to end the inning and seal the
victory.
Lees-McRae returns to the diamond on Tuesday when the Bobcats
open their 2012 home schedule against North Greenville University
at 3 p.m. at the Bobcat Softball Field.
- LMC -
