March 12, 2004
Henley Keys 4-1 Furman Victory Over North Carolina State
ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Junior Rachel Henley limited North Carolina State to one run on six hits in seven innings and laced a two-run double to lead Furman to a 4-1 victory over the Wolfpack in softball action Friday night at the Ringor Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C.
The Lady Paladins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. LaKerah Barr singled up the middle to lead off the game but was cut down at second when JoDee Eichelberger reached on a fielder's choice. After a Megan Jaudon walk, Jessica Matthews singled to center field to load the bases with one out.
A wild pitch by Wolfpack pitcher Lee Hasper allowed Eichelberger to score giving the Lady Paladins a 1-0 lead. Joni Lockridge reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases again and Jaudon scored the second run of the game when Henley drew the bases loaded walk.
Furman, 3-20 on the season, maintained a 2-0 advantage until the bottom of the sixth when North Carolina State's Jennifer Chamberlin launched a solo homer to left field cutting the lead in half.
In the top of the seventh, Furman put the game away. Eichelberger singles to start the frame and pinch runner Kristen Arnold adcanced to second on a one out walk by Matthews. After Arnold recorded the second out of the inning on a fielder's choice, Henley laced a double into left-centerfield to score pinch runner Valerie Cross and Lockridge to up the lead to 4-1.
Henley, 2-8 on the season, struck out Chamberlin with two runners on in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the victory. Henley struck out seven while walking only two Wolfpack hitters.
Matthews and Barr also picked up two hits apiece to lead the Lady Paladins.
Hasper took the loss for North Carolina State surrendering two runs in only 0.1 innings of work.
In the day's first game, Eastern Illinois' Sandyn Short belted a two-run double to center in the first to lift the Panthers to a 5-1 win over Furman.
Erica Nesselroad suffered the loss for Furman to fall to 0-6 on the season. Nesselroad allowed five runs on three hits in three innings. Matthews, Jaudon and Barr all collected two hits for Furman who outhit the Panthers 7-6
Heather Hoeschen limited Furman to one run while tossing a complete game for Eastern Illinois.
The Lady Paladins return to action Saturday when they take on North Carolina A&T in a 12:00 p.m. contest at the Winthrop Softball Complex. Furman will battle Ohio State at 6:00 p.m. Saturday.