Feb. 20, 2009
Box Score
STATESBORO, Ga. - Senior Julie Owen finished 2-for-4, driving in one run, and senior hurler Jessica Granger went the distance, allowing eight hits, six runs, three earned runs and struck out five, but Belmont (3-3) scored three runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth to defeat Oakland University (0-1), 6-2, in game one of the Holiday Inn Eagle Classic on Friday at Eagle Field.
Sophomore right fielder Alyssa Deacon finished 1-for-3, with a stolen base, and junior catcher Angela Righetti went 1-for-1, with two walks to pace the OU bats. Freshman Leah DiCristofaro had a pinch-hit single for the Golden Grizzlies in the top of the seventh inning. Senior center fielder Stephanie Schall added a base hit and senior third baseman Caitlin Lynch drove in the other run for Oakland.
The Golden Grizzlies jumped on top early 2-0 as Deacon walked, stole second and scored on a base hit off the bat of Owen. Owen then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lynch and scored on an error by the second baseman as OU led early 2-0.
BU's Dawn Thoni led off the bottom half of the inning with a home run to get the Bruins on the board as the Grizzlies led 2-1 after one full inning of play.
Belmont scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, highlighted by a double by Sammi Parks, an RBI sacrifice fly by Kelley Cash and a two-run home run by Elly Bennett as the Bruins took their first lead of the game, 4-2.
The Bruins scored two more runs in the sixth inning courtesy of a Bennett two-run double as the lead grew to four, 6-2. Oakland threatened in the top of the seventh inning, loading the bases on singles by Righetti, DiCristofaro and Deacon, but could not push a run across with two outs.
BU's Bennett finished 3-for-3, with a home run, double and four RBIs. Devon Schmidt tossed a complete game, scattering six hits, giving up two runs, one earned run and fanned 11.
Oakland had two runs, six hits and committed one error, while Belmont scored six runs, on eight hits and had one error.
OU will take on Charleston Southern later this afternoon at 3 p.m. in game four of the tournament.
-30-
