Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Western Kentucky
EMU Sweeps Day Two of Tiger Classic
2/18/2006 3:39:35 PM | Softball
Offense explodes and Eagles’ pitchers combine for one hit performance
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Eastern Michigan University softball pitchers combined on a one hit performance to lead the Eagles past Western Kentucky, 5-1, in the first game in day two of competition at the LSU Tiger Classic. In the nightcap, EMU rolled to a 10-2 victory over Mississippi Valley State.
The wins were the first of the season for the Eagles (2-2) who dropped both its contests yesterday to two nationally ranked teams to open the season. With the loss, WKU evened its record to 4-4 on the year, while MVSU falls to 0-9.
In the first game, pitcher Kelly Tomczak (Dowagiac, Mich.-Dowagiac) pitched five innings of no hit ball, striking out eight WKU batters. She allowed one unearned run and was relieved by Nikki Denman (Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview) in the sixth. Denman gave up the Hilltoppers’ lone hit in the top of the seventh with two outs.
The EMU offense, which was shutout in its first two games of the season, came on strong registering 10 hits, while two Eagles had three hit performances. First baseman Ashley Strauss (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) and outfielder Kelly Gulliver (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) each went three-for-three in today’s contest. Strauss hit two doubles and added three runs batted in, while Gulliver scored three runs. Shortstop Lauren Clark (Flat Rock, Mich.-New Boston Huron) added two hits and two runs.
Eastern lead off the games scoring in the bottom of the third after lead off back-to-back singles up the middle by Gulliver and Clark. Both runners scored off a Strauss double to right centerfield giving EMU a 2-0 advantage.
WKU answered back with its lone run of the game in the top of the fourth when Alana Towns reached base on an error. She stole second and third and finally scored off a wild pitch closing the gap 2-1.
The Eagles added two more in the bottom half of the inning after Gulliver and Clark singled back-to-back for the second time in the game. Outfielder Heather Giroux (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) plated one run after a single to centerfield. Strauss knocked in Clark after a single up the middle but Giroux was thrown out at home.
EMU added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth after Gulliver recorded her third hit of the day and advanced to second on an error. Gulliver advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Giroux and scored on a errant throw by the third baseman.
The Green and White offense continued to roll in the nightcap versus MVSU as they totaled 11 hits and put up 10 runs on the scoreboard. Four Eagles had multi-hit performances. Catcher Katie Grens (Elgin, Ill.-Elgin) went two-for-four with three runs batted in. Giroux and Clark had two hits and each stole two bases. Second baseman Jessica Grant (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forrest Hills Northern) recorded two hits and knocked in two runs.
Krissy Threet (Adrian, Mich.-Adrian)
pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs and recording one strike out. Michelle Lloyd (Akron, Ohio-Archbishop Hoban) pitched two innings of no-hit ball to end the game, registering three strikeouts.Clark opened the game with a double to right centerfield and stole third base. Giroux followed with an RBI infield single to second base. A sacrifice bunt by third baseman Heather Hann (Lafayette, Ind-/McCutcheon) plated the second run of the game.
A wild pitch with the bases loaded accounted for Devilettes’ first run of the game in the bottom of the first.
Three errors in the third helped the Eagles add three more run to increase their lead to 5-1.
Eastern added four runs in the sixth highlighted by a two run double by Grens.
The Eagled earned the number three seed in the tournament and will face the second seed Washington. Washington, ranked No. 11 in the country, defeated EMU during the first day of competition at the Tiger Classic, 9-0. First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m.
