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Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Seventh-inning home run
drops FIU, 1-0
 AU's
Lauren Evans cracked a seventh-inning leadoff home run
for the game's only score and pitcher Candice Freel (2-1)
tossed a complete-game eight hitter as the Lady Owls (5-6) came
away with a 1-0 softball victory over FIU (4-7) at University
Park.
Evans' homer, her first of the season, made a loser of FIU's
Kendra Laminack (0-4) who entered the inning having allowed
just three FAU hits.
The Golden Panthers, who came in as the winners of two straight
including a 4-0 victory over FAU last Sunday, squandered several
scoring opportunities, putting runners on second and third base
with less than two outs twice, without crossing the plate.
FIU had three straight hits to begin the third inning off
Freel, but failed to score after pinch runner Rossana Lopez
was caught stealing and Meagan Dontrich was thrown
out at the plate attempting to score on an infield grounder.
The Golden Panthers threatened again in the fourth when Cindy
Turek led off with a single and Jen Owens beat out
a bunt. A double steal put runners on second and third with none
out, but the rally fizzled.
Dontrich led the FIU offense with a pair of hits.
Laminack kept the Lady Owls off balance throughout much of
the early going. She allowed just a pair of hits and walked none
over the first five innings, pitching to only two batters over
the minimum over that span.
FAU's first scoring threat came in the sixth inning with two
Laminack walks sandwiched around a Ginny Matthews single.
But that threat died when Jessica Braggins grounded out
to end the frame.
After Evans' home run, Ebony Gray doubled off the left
field fence for her second hit of the game, chasing Laminack.
But Nicole Barrett came in and struck out the side, averting
further damage.
Amber Gill opened the FIU seventh inning with a walk and moved
to second on a sacrifice bunt by Heather Taylor. But she
was left stranded there after Freel retired Lindsay Tippings
and Stephanie Wolter on infield outs.
The Golden Panthers take to the road this coming weekend,
traveling to Tucson, Ariz., for the Pepsi Arizona Classic. FIU
plays the Universities of Washington and Minnesota, beginning
Friday at 1:00 pm (ET). |