March 17, 2007

Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers limited Furman to only three runs in two games to sweep a doubleheader from the Lady Paladins 5-2, 5-1 Saturday afternoon.

The Niners are now 20-10 on the season while Furman falls to 9-13-1.

In game one, Charlotte got on the board early scoring two runs in the first inning. Evan Miller led off the game with a single then scored on an RBI single by Kristi Killough. Two batters later, Becky Matthews scored on an RBI single from Emily Forbes to make it 2-0 Charlotte.

The Niners would add some insurance in the second inning when Sarah Malene scored on a wild pitch, giving Charlotte a 3-0 lead. Furman cut into the lead in the third scoring their first run of the game on an error.

The Paladins added a run in the fifth on an RBI single from Brythe Blankenship to make it 3-2. Charlotte padded their lead in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Miller. Matthews added an RBI single later in the inning for the final margin of 5-2.

Kristen Bowen got the win for Charlotte, improving to 8-5 on the season. She went the distance giving up two unearned runs on three hits while striking out 10 batters. Vanessa Williams (0-1) took the loss, giving up three runs on eight hits in two innings.

Miller was 3-for-4 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored. Lauren Schmitz and Jenny Rumbles had two hits apiece.

The second game was scoreless going into the bottom of the fourth inning. Kaycie Jones led off the inning with a single before Alyssa Kemmerer reached on a fielder's choice. A Malene sacrifice moved them over to second and third for Miller, who delivered with a two-run single.

Charlotte added some insurance the following inning. Matthews started the inning off with a double, which was followed by a single from Cee Brooks. Two batters later, Kemmerer connected with her second home run of the year, giving the Niners a 5-0 lead.

Furman got their lone run in the seventh on an RBI single from Abby Robertson. They would send the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but Christy Murray struck out Megan Jaudon with the bases loaded to secure the sweep.

Murray got the win to improve to 10-5 on the year. She went the distance, giving up one earned run on seven hits while striking out five. Lana Mackey (5-5) took the loss, giving up five earned runs on eight hits while striking out two.

Miller was 1-for-3 with two RBI in the second game, she now has a seven game hitting streak. Kemmerer was 2-for-3 with the big three-run homer.

Furman returns to action Wednesday when it travels to Georgia State for a non-conference doubleheader.