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Saturday, April 19, 2003
FIU drops conference doubleheader
to Ragin' Cajuns
 he
Florida International softball team dropped a Sun Belt Conference
doubleheader to No. 20 Louisiana-Lafayette (5-4; 3-1) on Saturday
in Miami. With the losses, the Golden Panthers (28-22, 4-2) fell
to second place in the league standings behind the Ragin' Cajuns
(33-5, 10-0).
In game one, FIU righthander Kendra Laminack (9-9) threw four
innings of two-hit ball but walked five batters and was responsible
for all five runs. Crystal George's three-run homer off Laminack
in the second gave the Cajuns an unsurmountable lead. FIU outhit
ULL, 7-5, but stranded 10 runners.
In game two, Cajun hurler Afton Thoms (10-1) tossed a three-hitter
to keep her team undefeated in conference. Marleah Stapf knocked
a homer over the left field fence in the fifth for FIU's only
run.
The two teams will square off again tomorrow in a doubleheader
beginning at 11:00 a.m. at FIU.
GAME ONE
Crystal George hit a three-run homer and Becky McMurtry knocked
in two more as the 20th-ranked Ragin' Cajuns slipped past FIU,
5-3. The Golden Panthers outhit ULL, 7-5, but stranded 10 runners.
FIU lefthander Kendra Laminack (9-9) suffered the loss and was
responsible for all five runs despite holding the opposition
to two hits in four innings pitched.
George got the Cajuns on the board in the second as she went
long to left center, bringing home Summar Lapeyrouse and Lauren
Castle who had both been walked by Laminack.
FIU then loaded the bases in the home half of the second,
but Stephanie Wolter hit a fly ball to left field to end the
inning.
The Golden Panthers were able to convert with runners on base
in the third as Cindy Turek hit a fly ball to left to score Nicole
Dubovik from third. Two batters later, Kristen Perry singled
up the middle to bring home Marleah Stapf.
FIU drew even at three runs apiece in the fourth. With one
out, Stephanie Wolter doubled to left field. Following a walk
to Nicole Dubovik, Jennifer Owens singled to left to score Wolter
from second.
Lafayette regained the lead for good in the fifth as McMurtry
singled off Golden Panther reliever Nicole Barrett to plate Natalie
Hamby and Lapeyrouse.
ULL starter Brooke Mitchell then took control, allowing only
one hit in the final three innings to improve to 15-4 on the
season.
GAME TWO
In game two, hurler Afton Thoms (10-1) tossed a three-hitter
to give ULL a 4-1 victory and keep her team undefeated in conference.
Becky McMurtry was the offensive hero again for Lafayette
as she doubled to left center to score two runs in the third.
One batter later, Joy Webre singled to left to score McMurtry.
ULL tacked on its final run in the fourth as Natalie Hamby
came home on a Crystal George single to left center.
Marleah Stapf knocked a homer over the left field fence in
the fifth for FIU's only run. It was the sixth home run of the
year for Stapf.
Golden Panther starter Amanda Nealer (16-7) allowed eight
hits in four and two-thirds innings pitched. Barrett allowed
two hits and no runs in relief. |