CLEARWATER, Fla. (March 5, 2010) – Rutgers softball (3-9) earned two thrilling victories over Bradley, 5-4, and Memphis, 2-1, Friday, March 5 at the USF Under Armour Invitational. Sophomore Holly Johnson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) worked 12.1 innings on the day, pitching a two-hitter against Memphis in eight innings.
With the bases loaded in the eighth inning and the score tied 1-1 in game two against Memphis (6-5), sophomore Brittany Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) drove in the game-winning run on a single up the middle, scoring sophomore Lindsey Curran (Monroe, Twp., N.J.). Brittany Lindley finished the game 2-for-4.
To tie the Tigers, Jennifer Harabedian (Flemington, N.J.) was placed on second with the international tie-breaker rule. Junior Danielle Procopio (Vineland, N.J.) advanced the runner on a sacrifice bunt and sophomore Kylee Bishop (Tacoma, Wash.) scored the rookie with a fielder’s choice.
Johnson went eight innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two and walking five.
Freshman Abbey Houston (New Egypt, N.J.) toed the rubber in game one against Bradley (6-5), going 2.2 innings and giving up four runs on three hits and three walks. The rookie fanned one batter. Johnson came in as relief and earned the win, allowing just two hits in 4.1 innings.
Sophomore Mikelyn Messina (Prospect, Conn.) started the game with a walk against Bradley and then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Brittany Lindley took advantage, scoring the runner on a fielder’s choice to take the lead 1-0. Rutgers picked up where they left off in the second, putting runners on first and second with two singles by freshman Ashley Bragg (Middletown, Del.) and Harabedian. Junior Mickenzie Alden (Spokane, Wash.) reached on a error by the right fielder, scoring both runners to give RU a 3-0 lead.
The Braves charged back in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs on three hits and leaving two on base. With runners on first and third, Houston walked BU’s Taylor Cox to load the bases for Alison Kresl, who singled to left field. Another run walked in. Johnson came in for relief, but two more runs scored as Lindsay Watkins singled.
Rutgers would not let up, tying the game at 4-4 with one run in the fourth. Bragg doubled to center field and Harabedian singled, scoring the rookie. Messina and Jen Meinheit (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) walked to start the fifth and Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.) hit into a fielder’s choice to score the winning run.
The Scarlet Knights are back on the diamond tomorrow for Ball State at 11:30 a.m. and Chattanooga at 1:30 p.m.
