April 7, 2002

Release: Upon Receipt

CHATTANOOGA'S ALEXANDER IS PERFECT IN WIN OVER FURMAN

Greenville, S.C.-- The Furman softball team dropped the series finale over Chattanooga 4-0 on Sunday at Pepsi Stadium behind a perfect game from Chattanooga senior pitcher Beth Alexander.

Pitching dominated both teams as neither team had a hit until the sixth inning. Furman starter Rachel Henley kept the powerful Chattanooga offense in check by jamming their hitters inside. Meanwhile, Alexander dominated Furman's offense, accompanied by several solid defensive plays from the field.

In the sixth, Chattanooga finally broke the goose egg. After having two runners reach on an error and a fielder's choice, second baseman Dana Reed singled home a run for the first hit of the game. Third baseman Melissa Ramirez singled home two more runs, giving the Mocs a 3-0 lead. Meagen Johnson came in to work in place of Henley and subsequently got the final two outs of the inning.

Chattanooga tallied their final run in the top of the seventh, when Teri Herbert doubled in Paige Cochrane to bring the Chattanooga total to 4-0

Alexander finished the Paladins off in the seventh with two groundouts and her tenth strikeout of the afternoon, giving her the perfect game.

For the year Furman falls to 15-14, and 7-5 in Southern Conference action, while Chattanooga improves to 26-10, and 9-1 in the league.

Furman returns to action on Saturday when they travel to ETSU for a weekend series.