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MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - Sophomore
Amber Riddle hit a fifth-inning grand slam, and freshman pitcher
Kelcey McMurray struck out a career-high seven Akron batters as the Morehead State softball team defeated the Zips 6-4 Saturday at the College of Charleston Cougar Classic. The Eagles concluded the tournament with a 3-2 setback to the host team as the Cougars scored the winning run on a wild pitch.
The Eagles won three of the five games in the tournament and are now 3-6 overall.
Against Akron, MSU scored all six of its runs via the unearned variety as the Zips committed four errors. McMurray recorded her first career collegiate winnning decision.
Oli Hegedus staked Akron to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth with a solo homer off McMurray. But, the Eagles took advantage of three Zip errors to score all six of their runs in the bottom half of the frame while only getting two hits.
Brooke McCartney and
Sam Woodall reached base via errors and McCartney scored on
Elizabeth Wagner's fielder's choice. After Kayla Ahbrook drew a walk, Riddle sent a 1-1 Heather Bauer pitch over the fence in right center for her ninth career homer to clear the bases and give the Eagles a 5-1 lead.
Rebecca Butler later smacked her second double of the year and scored to make it 6-1 when
Kayla Brill's grounder to short was mishandled.
Akron scored a run in the sixth and added two in the seventh to close to within 6-4, but junior
Ashley Imperial came to the circle with one down and coaxed a pair of ground outs to record her first career save.
The Eagles had five hits. Woodall had two of those from the leadoff spot. MSU handed Bauer her first loss after she had won her first three decisions.
Against College of Charleston, the Eagles and Cougars were tied heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but C of C got a leadoff double, a sacrifice bunt and a walk to put runners on ther corners against MSU pitcher Jami Whitcomb. Unfortunately her next pitch sailed wild, allowing the winning run to motor home.
The Eagles got on the board early with Riddle knocking in Wagner with an RBI single in the first. The Cougars took the lead with a two-spot in the third.
MSU answered by tying the contest in the top of the fifth. Woodall singled and then scored from first as Ashbrook crushed a triple to right center field.
Woodall again led the Eagles by going 2-for-4 at the plate.
Whitcomb was tagged with the loss, pitching the final 2.1 innings and walking four. Imperial started and was in thr circle for the first four innings. She only allowed four Cougar hits.
Morehead State's next action is next weekend at the North Carolina Greensboro Spartan Classic. The Eagles face Minnesota, Kansas and UNCG.
