Softball | 2/3/2004 12:05:00 AM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- The 12th-ranked Barry University softball team picked up two wins to open the 2004 season sweeping the St. Thomas Bobcats (0-2)in a double-header 3-2 and 12-9 earlier tonight at Buccaneer Field.

Down 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, freshman Maile Keeney led the inning off with a double to ignite a late rally. Then two costly Bobcat errors opened the gate for two Buccaneer runs giving Barry (2-0) a one run advantage heading into the seventh.

The Buccaneers put up five hits against the Bobcats seven, but freshman pitcher Liz Bennett struck out nine in her collegiate debut picking up the win for Barry. Amanda Metcalf (0-1) suffered the loss for St. Thomas giving up two runs in one inning.

In the nightcap, the Bucs fought out of the cellar after giving up a quick seven runs in the first inning. Scoring a quick seven of their own in the fifth, the Bucs added three more in the sixth to win game two 12-9.

Rookie pitcher Sarah Backe faced 13 batters and walked five, while giving up seven runs in the first inning. However, she settled down and found a rhythm striking out five and allowing only two runs in her final 4.2 innings of work. With the game tied at nine apiece in the sixth, Bennett took over retiring the final three batters to earn a second win. Jessica Millar (0-1) suffered the loss in game two for the Bobcats giving up 11 runs in two innings.

Amanda Moore went four-for-six with two RBI to lead the Bucs at the plate, while Keeney went three-for-six in the two contests. Bennett (2-0) picked up two wins, hurled 8.1 innings and gave up two runs, while fanning nine in her first two college appearances. Backe (0-0) finished with 5.2 innings and struck out five in her debut.

Katherine Alge went two-for-five with an RBI to lead St. Thomas, while Amanda Metcalf finished two-for-six with three RBI.

The Buccaneers will return to action at the Las Vegas Classic beginning Thursday, Feb. 5. The Bucs will face second-ranked St. Mary's (Texas) at 10 am and will follow-up with Hawai'i Hilo at 12 noon.

Barry 3, St. Thomas 2 (02/02/2004 at Miami Shores, Fla.) (Game 1)
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St. Thomas.......... 000 101 0 - 2 7 2 (0-1)
Barry............... 000 012 X - 3 5 1 (1-0)
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Pitchers: St. Thomas - Stemmer; Metcalf(6). Barry - Bennett.
Win-Bennett(1-0) Loss-Metcalf(0-1) T-2:22 A-0

Barry 12, St. Thomas 9 (02/02/2004 at Miami Shores, Fla.) (Game 2)
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St. Thomas.......... 700 002 0 - 9 4 4 (0-2)
Barry............... 010 173 X - 12 12 2 (2-0)
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Pitchers: St. Thomas - Metcalf; Millar(4); Stemmer(6). Barry - Backe; Bennett(6).
Win-Bennett(2-0) Loss-Millar(0-1) T-2:39 A-83
Millar faced 3 batters in the 6th.