Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – In a dramatic 12 inning game, the Eckerd College softball team won their first conference game against Florida Southern in walk-off style Friday night, 1-0.
The Turley Athletic complex was windy as both teams took the field for their conference openers. The Tritons (16-2, 1-0) and the Mocs (11-5, 0-1) competed in a 15 inning game last year on the Friday night matchup so tonight was going to be a battle.
Runs were at an ultimate premium as
Amber Hay and Brandi Jones took to the mound. Jones had a no-hitter going until the bottom of the fifth when
Kaycie Duncan grabbed Eckerd's first hit of the night as she legged out an infield single.
Hay then struck out the side in the top of the sixth to give the Tritons the momentum.
Brittany Mitchell sent a laser down the right field line for a double and was later gunned down by FSC as she tried to get a run on the board.
The Moccasins bats went quiet until the 9
th inning when an errant throw had them on second. With a runner in scoring position, second basemen,
Brittany Martinez made one of the best plays all year as she leaped in the air and grabbed a line drive to save the shutout.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Duncan grabbed her second hit of the night as she tripled down the right field line but was unable to score. EC threatened again in the 10
th as pinch hitter
Kiley King placed a ball over the reach of the second basemen for a hit and was moved over on a sacrifice bunt from
Kirby Parnell but was unable to push a run across.
Dana Paul led off the 12
th with a liner through the left side of the field and on heads up base running, was able to advance to third on a single from Parnell bringing up
Carrie Shere. The freshman came through in one of the biggest situations of her young career as she sent a walk-off line drive to deep left field for the victory.
Hay went the distance for the Tritons and grabbed her ninth win of the year and fourth shutout. The senior scattered a mere five hits across 12 innings while striking out a season high nine batters. Along with the win, Hay also set a new school record for assists in a game as she was perfect from the circle making 11 assists.
"I am so proud of my team tonight, they really backed me up on the field and came through on defense when I needed them," said Hay. "We're excited about the win but are turning our attention to resting up tonight and getting back on the field tomorrow."
Shere, Duncan, and Mitchell each grabbed two hits apiece while Hay, Paul, King, Parnell,
Kara Oberer, and
Sydney Dinelli nabbed one.
Eckerd and Florida Southern will be back in action tomorrow for the remaining games of the series. The double header is set to start at 1 p.m.
