Softball -- GC wins; Gators show improvement

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on March 18, 2004 1:55 PM

• Print
• Email

SEVEN SPRINGS -- How many times do both teams leave a softball game happy, win or lose?

That's what happened last night as Greene Central edged Spring Creek 4-2.

After losing 19-2 last week at Snow Hill, Gator coach Sonny Kilpatrick was pleased with his team's effort.

"Our defense was much tighter. Morale was much better with the return of shortstop Yolanda Lawson from varsity basketball," he added.

Equally pleased was Greene Central's first year coach Kim Nesbitt.

"We had to fight hard for the win through solid defense," she said. "Our bats just weren't there tonight."

Greene Central took advantage of six Spring Creek errors. Amber Oakes and Elizabeth Cooper scored in the first inning, thanks to three of those miscues. Carrie Edualos and Lawson evened the score in their half of the first, crossing the plate off a passed ball, an infield error, and a sacrifice.

A similar scenario brought Peoria Oakes home with the go-ahead run for the Lady Rams in the top of the second. After loading the bases without scoring in the next inning, Brittany Legett doubled Amber Oakes home with an insurance run in the fourth.

Leggett, a junior left-fielder was the game's leading hitter, going 3-4 with two doubles.

Spring Creek bats went silent for the next five innings. The Lady Gators were unable to solve Lady Rams pitcher Cassie Webb. The sophomore left-hander allowed only a walk to Carey Motler and a single to Lorena Brogden while striking out nine.

Brogden did some pretty nifty pitching in her own right. Though constantly tested, she shut out Greene Cenntral over the final three innings.

Spring Creek gave it one last shot in the bottom of the seventh. Third baseman Lindsey Benton walked, went to second on a wild pitch, and to third on a sacrifice. With one out, left fielder Sara Whitfield legged out an infield hit, with Benton holding at third. Webb then bore down, striking out Krystal Lane and Motler to pick up her second win of the season.

"This will be a good game to get us pumped for Friday at Farmville Central," said Nesbitt. "Our team, with only three seniors, is really starting to come together."

"We're improving," said Kilpatrick, "but I'm scared about our pitching. We've got two more games this week, and we really only have one pitcher."

Spring Creek travels to Calypso to meet North Duplin this afternoon.

Greene Central 210 100 0 -- 4 7 1

Spring Creek 200 000 0 -- 2 3 6

Leading hitters -- Greene Central -- Brittany Leggett 3 hits, 2 doubles. Spring Creek -- Carrie Edualos 1 hit, Sara Whitfield 1 hit, Lorena Brogden 1 hit.

IP H R ER BB SO

Greene Central (2-1)

Webb (W, 2-1) 7 3 2 0 2 12

Spring Creek (0-7)

Brogden 7 7 4 1 0 6