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Sunday, March 30, 2003
FIU sweeps doubleheader with
Turnpike-rival FAU
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Florida International softball team won its sixth and seventh
straight games as the Golden Panthers swept both halves of a
twinbill with turnpike-rival Florida Atlantic (2-1, 1-0) on Sunday
afternoon in Boca Raton. FIU has now defeated FAU three times
this season and has won four of its last six contests against
the Owls.
The Golden Panther pitching staff held FAU to five hits, and
the Owls' lone run was unearned. Lefthander Amanda Nealer tossed
a one-hitter in the second game.
FIU connected for 11 hits with center fielder Nicole Dubovik
leading the way as she went 4-for-6 with an RBI. Catcher/designated
player Marleah Stapf batted 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI.
FIU opens Sun Belt Conference play against New Mexico State
next Saturday and Sunday in Las Cruces.
GAME ONE
Marleah Stapf drove in two runs on a two-out double in the fourth
inning to erase a one-run deficit and lift the Golden Panthers
over the Owls, 2-1.
FIU pitchers Kendra Laminack and Nicole Barrett held FAU to
four hits as Laminack (6-7) earned the win while Barrett picked
up her seventh save of the season, setting a new school record
for single-season and career saves.
The Owls got on the board in the third as Jennifer Cavanaugh
scored from third on an Amy Bellisari ground ball to second.
FIU mounted a comeback in the top of the fourth. Jennifer
Owens led off the inning with a single and advanced to second
on an error by Owl shortstop Jessica Sachs. Following a Cindy
Turek flyout to left field, Owl righthander Candice Freel walked
Lindsay Tippings. Kristen Perry reached on a fielder's choice,
moving Tippings to second. Stapf then strode to the plate for
her fifth double of the year, scoring Tippings and Perry.
Freel (10-7) scattered four hits in her 15th complete-game
outing of the season.
GAME TWO
FIU hurler Amanda Nealer (13-6) tossed a one-hitter to give FIU
a 1-0 victory over FAU. It was Nealer's sixth-straight win as
she struck out six and walked one batter in her fourth complete
game of the season.
Nicole Dubovik was FIU's offensive hero as she brought Yarah
Otero home on a single through the right side in the fifth inning.
FIU hit safely seven times in the contest, but had difficulty
bringing runners home as the Golden Panthers stranded five runners.
FAU's Pam Mazzarella (2-3) suffered the loss, allowing five
hits in four and one-thirds innings of action. Candice Freel
relieved Mazzarella in the fifth, allowing two hits and striking
out two batters. |