March 6, 1999

MIDDLE TENNESSEE TOPS FURMAN 1-0 IN NINE INNINGS

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- A classic pitcher's duel ended after nine innings Saturday at the Furman University softball field, when Middle Tennessee State scored in the top of the ninth inning to post a 1-0 victory over the Furman Lady Paladins.

MTSU's Melanie Manley started the ninth on second as part of the international tiebreaker rule, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Steffi Silva. A Kerri Allen double to center field scored Manley, but Furman pitcher Chrissy Hacker struck out Tamara Davis and forced Rachel Atkinson to fly out of the short stop to end the inning with a 1-0 margin.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Lady Paladins started with third baseman Erin Keen on second. Saskia Gazenbeek advanced Keen on a sac bunt, but Raider's pitcher Jennifer Martinez forced Kay Brittain to pop the ball up the shortstop, who three Keen out on her way back to third.

With the victory the Raiders of MTSU improve to 7-5 overall, while Furman falls to 3-10 on the year. Martinez was credited with the win and improved to 2-4 on the season after giving up just two hits on the day, while Furman's Hacker falls to 0-4 despite giving up just three hits and no earned runs.

Game 1 MTSU 1, Furman 0