Feb. 12, 2010

Final Stats

FAYETTEVILLE - The Fayetteville State softball team held Lees-McRae to eight hits in two games, but dropped a pair of games to the Bobcats on Friday at Seabrook Park.

Fayetteville State (0-2) smacked four hits, but left six on base in a 3-0 loss in the first game. In the loss, Tracey Brighter struck out 12 batters, yielded seven walks and allowed only three hits in seven innings of action.

"Sometimes the walks can hurt her," said FSU head coach Miguel Justiniano. "She had a couple of walks that led to unearned runs and that cost her. Days like this can happen, but she's an excellent pitcher."

Right-fielder Latoya Gatling, Brighter, first baseman April Branch and catcher Rita Diaz all had hits in the first game for FSU.

Megan West, who pitched seven innings and struck out six batters, got the win for the Bobcats (2-0).

In the second game, both teams scored in the first inning before a single by shortstop Demarius Pankey in the second inning gave FSU a 3-2 lead.

Lees-McRae scored again in the third inning tying the game 3-3. Neither team scored again in regulation and the game went to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, the Bobcats scored three runs off of Brighter, who entered the game for Misty Huber, to earn a 6-3 win. Huber pitched seven innings and struck out five.

"I enjoyed the second game a lot," Justiniano said. "We realized we can hit. We found out that we can go out there and hit the ball. That was very important so that we can get the butterflies out."

FSU's doubleheader with Coker, originally scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m., has been postponed due to the threat of inclement weather. No make-up date has been announced.

Justiniano and the Broncos will host Bluefield State for a doubleheader on Sunday. First pitches are set for 2 and 4 p.m.

Despite the loss, Justiniano said he isn't worried about his team this early in the season.

"The second game was close and could've gone either way," he said. "We'll be fine."

Shahiree Covington went 2-for-4 in the second game and helped FSU rack up nine hits.