March 29, 2010

Final Stats

ETTRICK, VA -

Hot bats from April Branch and LaTonia Gatling helped Fayetteville State top St. Paul's, 11-3 and Virginia Union, 14-2, on Sunday. Misty Huber (Orlando, FL) pitched the wins for both games. Branch, a sophomore from Pender, NC, had two hits and two RBIs in each game while Gatling, a native of Suffolk, VA totaled four hits and four RBIs. The games were originally scheduled to be played during the CIAA Round-Up earlier this month, but were rescheduled because of rain and poor field conditions. FSU (14-18, 7-6 CIAA) has scored 10 or more runs in six of its last 10 games.

In the first game, FSU scored four runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed against the Panthers. Six errors by VUU in the top of the third helped FSU score 10 times, giving the Broncos their 14-2 cushion.

Huber gave up only two hits, one earned run and struck out six, while amassing two hits, a RBI and three runs scored. Freshman Ashley Wlezen (Charlotte, NC) had three RBIs, two runs and a hit while freshman Rita Diaz (Fayetteville, NC) contributed a hit and two RBIs.

Against the Saint Paul's Tigers, Huber (8-10 overall) pitched five innings, struck out five batters and allowed just three earned runs and three hits. The Broncos trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning. That's when FSU head coach Miguel Justiniano's team exploded.

With the bases loaded, senior Shahiree Covington (Scotland County, NC) hit a two-RBI single that scored Gatling and senior Tracey Brighter (Spring Lake, NC). Following four errors by SPC, FSU had scored seven runs in the inning, giving the Broncos the lead for good. Huber had two hits and Gatling, Branch, Brighter and Demarius Pankey (Laurinburg, NC) scored two runs each.

The Broncos close out the regular season with a doubleheader against Shaw on Thursday. First pitches are set for 1 and 3 p.m.