March 6, 1999 Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN TOPS ECU IN 10-8 COMEBACK

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furmanšs Lady Paladin softball team gave up seven runs in the second inning, but came back to post the 10-8 victory over East Carolina Saturday at the Paladin Invitational.

The Lady Paladin scored early in game three of the Paladin Invitational, when Saskia Gazenbeek singled in the bottom of the first inning, advanced to second on an Ashley Rayl walk, and scored on a Kelly Van Houten double. Rayl also scored on Van Houtenšs hit and gave Furman the early 2-0 lead.

Furman pitcher Kelly Jack struck out two in the second, but a Lady Paladin error prolonged the inning and resulted in seven runs scored, including four on an Iso Polonius grand slam home run. Jack finished out the inning by striking out Eva Herron, but sophomore Ashley Rayl came in to pitch at the top of the third and pitched the remaining five innings, giving up three hits and one run with two walks and two strikeouts.

Despite the early 7-2 disadvantage, the Lady Paladins rallied in the third inning, scoring four runs on four hits and one Pirate error. Ashley Rayl lead off the inning by reaching first on an error by ECU shortstop Eva Herron, advanced on a Kay Brittain double, and scored on another Van Houten hit. Brittain and Van Houten added to the Furman total on a Chrissy Hacker double and Hacker scored when catcher Jodi Baumgardner doubled to right field. At the end of three, Furman trailed by one, 7-6.

The Lady Paladin softball team took its second and final lead of the game in the fourth inning, when Gazenbeek and Rayl scored their second and third runs of the game, respectively. Furman added its final two runs in the fifth, and ECU scored its only remaining run in the sixth.

With the win the Lady Paladins improved to 4-10 on the year, while ECU fell to 8-7. Furman pitcher Ashley Rayl got the win and improved to 2-4, while Lisa Paganini suffered the loss and fell to 2-5 on the year.

Day two of the Paladin Invitational is scheduled for Sunday. Furman and MTSU kick the day off in a 10 a.m. matchup, followed by a noon game between MTSU and ECU, and a 2 p.m. contest featuring the Lady Paladins and the ECU Pirates.

Game 3 of the Paladin Invitational Furman 10, ECU 8

ECU 070 000 1 8R, 8H, 2E

FU 204 220 0 10R, 11H, 1E

Winning Pitcher: Rayl (2-4) Losing Pitcher: Paganini (2-5)