CLINTON, S.C. -- The Morehead State softball Eagles took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 6-2 victory against the Valparaiso Beacons on Saturday in the Pinnacle PC Invitational at Presbyterian.Freshman hurler Addie Stem (2-1) got the win for Morehead State (2-1). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, only one earned, on just four hits, allowing three walks and striking out five. She had a no-hitter through five innings.
"I felt that all my pitches were working today," Stem said. "Coach (Desiree) Ybarra did a great job sequencing them and keeping Valparaiso off guard. I felt great out there, especially when I knew I had a team with bats on fire to back me up. There were a few scenarios where the momentum flipped while we were on defense, but we were able to lock it back in and get the dub."
Junior Darlene Montoya led the way offensively for the Eagles, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Sophomore Taikibrea Campbell compiled a standout effort as well, going 1-for-3 with a triple, a walk and an RBI. Junior Samantha Cervantes also chipped in, going 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.
"We came out and manufactured runs early. We had great offensive execution which allowed us to create some chaos on the bases," said coach Megan Griffith. "Defense played very well behind Addie. We only gave up four hits and Addie had five Ks."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Montoya.
The Beacons failed to push any runs across before the Eagles built on their lead in the third inning. Morehead State put up two runs in the frame, punctuated with an RBI triple off the bat of Campbell, which brought the score to 5-0 in favor of the Eagles.
Valparaiso narrowed the Eagles' lead to 5-1 before MSU stretched the advantage to 6-1 in the fifth inning when Campbell scored on a wild pitch. Valparaiso put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, an RBI single in the seventh, but Morehead State still coasted to the 6-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» Montoya is now batting .545 in her first season at Morehead State, after three games.
» Stem struck out five Beacons hitters.
» The Eagles out-hit the Beacons at an 11-4 clip.
» Morehead State pitchers limited Valparaiso to just 2-for-12 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 31 Valparaiso hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five.
» The Eagles drew four walks from Valparaiso pitching.
UP NEXT
MSU finishes its day at the invitational by playing Youngstown State.
