By By Austin Bishop/EMG regional sports director
Feb. 15, 2002
The Meridian Community College women's fast-pitch softball team began its quest for a third consecutive trip to the NJCAA National Tournament with a pair of shutout wins over visiting Pearl River Community College on Thursday afternoon at the Northeast Softball Complex.
While Eakins said the overall team hitting needs to improve, he was very pleased with other aspects of the game.
MCC won the opener 4-0, before taking the second game 7-0.
The Lady Eagles scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take control of the season opener.
Morgan Wright began the bottom of the first with a single and after stealing second, she scored two batters later on a hit by Stephanie Dixon. Her single was misplayed in the outfield, allowing her to move to third. Dixon then scored to make it 2-0 when an illegal pitch was called.
Pearl River threatened in the top of the fourth with runners on third and first and nobody out, but MCC catcher Robin Holland caught a low foul pop for one out and then fired it to first to complete a double play and get the Lady Eagles out of the inning.
MCC added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Allison Reader was hit by a pitch and Ashlee Frazier's sacrifice attempt was misplayed, allowing Reader to score.
Krystal Jenkins then ripped a double to left to drive in Frazier.
Dixon led the way with three hits, while Wright had two.
Frazier had a solid effort on the mound, before being hit on the knee cap by a line drive with one out in the sixth inning.
Anne McLean came on to pitch the rest of the game to hold the Lady Wildcats at bay. Frazier and McLean combined for a three-hitter in the first game.
McLean then pitched the entire second game to complete the sweep, striking out eight and allowing five hits.
The Lady Eagles scored five runs in the bottom of the third to break open a scoreless game.
Dreka Shumpert opened the inning with a bunt single, and moved to third on Dixon' double. They both scored when Layla Brewer hit a homer over the left field fence. MCC tacked on two more runs to make it 5-0. Brewer led the way offensively for MCC with a single, double, homer and four RBIs.
MCC is now 2-0 on the year and plays host to Bishop State in a doubleheader on Sunday at 1 p.m.