Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Nealer, Perry help FIU split with Tennessee-Chattanooga

lorida International's Kristen Perry and Tennessee-Chattanooga's Melissa Ramirez were the heroes as FIU and UTC split a doubleheader on Wednesday night at University Park in Miami.


Box Score: FIU 4, UTC 2
Box Score: UTC 3, FIU 1

GAME ONE
FIU's Kristin Perry batted 3-for-3 with two RBI as FIU held off UTC, 4-2.

FIU got the scoring started early as Cindy Turek grounded out to second, bringing home Stephanie Wolter for a 1-0 lead in the first.

The Golden Panthers tacked on three more runs in the third. Nicole Dubovik led off the inning with a bunt single. She then stole second, and Jennifer Owens singled to bring home Dubovik. Turek reached on a fielder's choice and Lindsay Tippings moved her over to second with a single to left center. Perry then strode to the plate for her third double of the season, plating the eventual winning runs.

The Mocs added a run in the top of the fifth and threatened to overtake FIU in the seventh, as Paige Cochrane led off the inning with a triple down the left field line and eventually scored on a pass ball. FIU reliever Nicole Barrett then allowed a single to Teri Herbert and a walk to Grace Pickett, but got the necessary outs to snuff out the Mocs' rally.

FIU hurler Amanda Nealer improved to 9-6 in five innings of action while Barrett picked up the fourth save of her career. Awbrey Winckler suffered the loss for the Mocs, falling to 7-7.

GAME TWO
A home run by Melissa Ramirez in the top of the seventh lifted UTC over FIU, 3-1.

Ramirez' shot to left centerfield capped a three-run rally that saw the Mocs battle back from a 1-0 deficit.

FIU got on the board first as Nicole Dubovik singled to second base, bringing home Carmen Lopez. But UTC hurler Sara Meek shut down FIU for the remainder of the game, giving her teammates the opportunity to mount a comeback.

The Mocs tied the game in the sixth. With two outs in the inning, FIU pitcher Kendra Laminack walked Leslie Barron. Gina Sterchi pinch ran for Barron and came home on a double to left center by Lindsey Brown, setting the stage of Ramirez' heroics.

Laminack dropped to 3-6 on the season while Meek won her ninth contest, moving to 9-5 on the year.

The split puts FIU at 13-18 and UTC at 16-13 overall.

Next up for UTC is a doubleheader with Florida Atlantic on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. FIU will host the Nike Blue & Gold Classic this Friday through Sunday.