Softball | 5/10/2003 8:08:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The host Barry Buccaneers knocked off Gulf South Conference representative Alabama-Huntsville and West Florida to force a final game in the NCAA Division II Softball South Region Tournament at Buccaneer Field on Saturday.

In the first game, the Buccaneers fell behind early but then stormed back in the late innings to win 4-2 over Alabama-Huntsville. The Chargers scored one run in each of the first two innings. Kristi Braverman knocked in Jessie Inman in the first inning and Kellie Corder stole home on the front end of a double steal in the second.

The game stayed 2-0 until the fifth inning. The Bucs strung together three straight hits to start the inning. Kristina Socarras scored on an infield single by Krista Latessa to trim the lead to 2-1.

The Chargers mounted their best threat in the top of the sixth inning, loading the bases with no outs. But Corder flew out to shallow center, Inman had an infield fly to second and Sara Winn popped out to short to end the threat.

"Bases loaded has been our Achilles' Tendon all year and it was today," UAH head coach Les Studeman said. "We just left too many runners in scoring position. Nine hits off of Elam and we should win that game."

In the bottom of the inning, the Bucs exploded for three runs to take the lead. After KD Smith walked to lead off the inning, the Chargers pulled starter Katrina Fomich and brought in Courtney Funderburk (12-7). Heather Hodges sacrificed, but reached on a fielder's choice when Smith beat the throw. One out later, Kim Fujimoto ripped a double into left center, scoring both runners. Fujimoto later scored on a single by Socarras.

Geralyn Elam (32-5) set down the Chargers on one hit in the seventh to seal the win. Elam went the distance, giving up nine hits and two walks while striking out three. Both of her runs were earned. Funderburk took the loss, pitching one inning and allowing two hits, two runs (one earned) with one strike out.

In the second game, the Bucs hooked up in an old-fashioned pitching dual, coming out on top 1-0 in eight innings over West Florida.

"It was a good game," West Florida head coach Tami Cyr said. "Both teams played hard. We had our chances but we left nine people on base. I think that's what did us in."

A day after allowing seven runs to the Argonauts, the Bucs pitched a shutout, behind Erin Cormier (20-4). She tossed the eight-inning shutout, allowing five hits and five walks, while striking out four.

"Erin did a great job for us today," Barry head coach Shelly Lis said. "She really mixed up her pitches and kept them off balance."

The Bucs got their run in the top of the eighth inning. With two outs, Carrie Roberts laced a double down the left field line and was replaced by pinch runner Heather Cook. With Cook at second, Smith shot an almost identical ball down the left field line to score Cook.

Jackie Moore (24-3) matched Cormier with scoreless innings until the eighth. She gave up five hits and struck out six without walking a batter.

The win sets up a final game between the Buccaneers and Argonauts on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

"Our team has a lot of pride," Cormier said. "If we're going to lose, it's not going to be without a fight."


Barry 4, Alabama-Huntsville 2 (May 10, 2003 at Miami Shores, Fla.)
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Alabama-Huntsville.. 110 000 0 - 2 9 1 (46-18)
Barry............... 000 013 X - 4 9 1 (51-9)
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Pitchers: Alabama-Huntsville - K. Fomich; C.Funderburk(6). Barry - Elam.
Win-Elam(32-5) Loss-C.Funderburk(12-7) T-1:50 A-253
Game notes:
Game 9 of NCAA Division II South Region Tournament
K. Fomich faced 1 batter in the 6th.

Barry 1, West Florida 0 (May 10, 2003 at Miami Shores, FL)
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Barry............... 000 000 01 - 1 5 1 (52-9)
West Florida........ 000 000 00 - 0 5 0 (49-10)
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Pitchers: Barry - Cormier. West Florida - J. Moore.
Win-Cormier(20-4) Loss-J. Moore(24-3) T-2:17 A-237
Game notes:
Game 10 of the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament