MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- The topped-ranked Barry University softball team returned to the friendly confines of Buccaneer Field earlier today and split a non-conference doubleheader with the 14th-ranked Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. The Buccaneers won the series opener 6-4, but fell in the nightcap 8-2.
In the first game, the Buccaneers scored four unanswered runs on three costly errors to take an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. But the Charger bats came alive with four back-to-back hits in the fifth which tied the game 4-4.
Heading into the bottom half of the sixth with the game still tied,
KD Smith delivered the crucial blow with a leadoff home run for the Bucs to regain the lead. The Bucs added a final run on a
Kristina Socarras RBI sacrifice fly as they held on for the 6-4 win.
Freshman
Amanda Moore posted two hits to lead the Bucs in the first game.
Geralyn Elam (20-3) gave up four runs on eight hits, walked two and fanned seven to earn the win. Courtney Funderburk (9-3) suffered the loss in relief hurling the final two innings giving up two runs (one earned) and struck out two.
Looking to close out the series with another win, the tide unfortunately turned for the Buccaneers. In the first inning, the Chargers took an early 2-0 lead after Buccaneer starter
Erin Cormier hit the first two batters to give them free passage to the bases. Then everything began to fall apart as the Chargers took full advantage of five errors and scored six more for the 8-2 win.
Kim Fujimoto and
Krista Latessa led the Buccaneer efforts with two hits apiece, while Latessa and
Sarah White each added an RBI.
Erin Cormier (12-2) gave up eight runs (four earned) on seven hits, walked six, and struck out six in the loss. Beth Rambo (5-3) earned the win for the Chargers giving up only two runs on nine hits.
The Buccaneers fell to 32-7 overall, while the Chargers improved to 18-8. The Buccaneers will return to action on Saturday, Mar. 29 hosting Rollins at 4 pm in Sunshine State Conference play.
