March 17, 2001

Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN TAKES TWO FROM UNC WILMINGTON

IN SOCON OPENER

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman's Lady Paladin softball team opened the 2001 Southern Conference slate with a pair of victories (1-0, 2-0) over UNC Wilmington Saturday at Pepsi Stadium.

Senior Chrissy Hacker pitched a complete game shutout and held the Seahawks to one hit in game one of the double header. In addition, she struck out eight and gave up just one walk while going one-for-three at the plate in the victory. Despite earning nine hits in the game, the Lady Paladins were held scoreless until the bottom of the final (seventh) inning, when Kelli Leachman started the Furman rally with a single to right field. Freshman catcher Karen Myers doubled to left field to advance Leachman to third, and sophomore Karissa King entered as a pinch runner. Melissa Hutton ended the game moments later with an RBI single that scored King and sealed Furman's 1-0 win.

In game two, pitchers Kelly Jack and Kristy Goodrich combined to again shutout UNC Wilmington. This time, however, no last inning heroics were necessary, as the Lady Paladins took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Kelly Jack singled to score Caroline Evans from second. Furman added an insurance run in the fifth when Evans doubled to score Kelli Van Houten from second.

Senior Kelly Jack took the lead offensively for Furman on Saturday, going four-for-six on the day with one RBI. Freshman catcher Karen Myers also keyed the Paladins, with a two-for-three showing in game one and 19 putouts for the double dip.

With the win, Furman improves to 9-15 on the year, while UNC Wilmington falls to 11-13. The third and final game of the Furman-UNCW series will begin Sunday at 1 p.m. at Pepsi Stadium.

Game One

UNCW 000 000 0 0R, 1H, 0E

Furman 000 000 1 1R, 9H, 0E

WP - Hacker (5-6)

LP - Givens (3-7)

Game Two

UNCW 000 000 0 0R, 5H, 2E

Furman 000 110 2R, 6H, 0E

WP - Jack (4-5)

LP - Westberry (7-5)