Charlotte Splits Doubleheader Action with Furman in Extra Innings
March 12, 2008
Greenville, S.C. - Behind a two RBI effort from sophomore outfielder Serena Smith, the Charlotte 49ers (11-14) split a doubleheader 3-2, 3-1 with Furman Wednesday afternoon at Pepsi Stadium. Sophomore pitcher Emily Jeffery (6-6) pitched a two-hitter and gave up no runs in four innings to take the late win.
Sophomore utility Keri Palma kept the 49ers in the first game, hitting a home run to left field in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. Freshman pitcher Katy Hackett allowed just three runs in 8.1 innings pitched, striking out two and walking only four in the process.
After accumulating just six hits collectively through four and a half innings, Furman opened scoring in the bottom of the fifth, driving home one unearned run on three hits and an error. Charlotte answered in the sixth when junior shortstop Cee Brooks singled down the left field line, scoring junior second baseman Sarah Malene to tie the game. The Paladins retaliated later in the innings with an RBI off a sacrifice fly, but Palma's home run pushed the game into extra innings, where Furman would eventually tally an unearned run on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the ninth.
Charlotte came back strong in the second game, relying of the defensive effort of Jeffery while tallying three runs on five hits, including a two-hit performance from Malene. Sophomore pitcher Gina Allen gave up the lone Furman run on three hits in her three-inning start.
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After allowing the Paladin run in the bottom of the second, the 49ers got on the board in the third, as Smith grounded out to the shortstop, bringing home freshman outfielder Whitney Williams. The Charlotte bats returned in the fifth, as Smith singled to right field, scoring Malene and allowing junior third baseman to advance home on an outfield throwing error.
Charlotte returns to action this weekend with a five-game slate at the Winthrop Invitational.
