Softball | 3/27/2004 6:43:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Barry University softball team completed the Florida Southern Invitational earlier today with three wins. The Buccaneers (23-13) defeated Albany State (13-30) 11-3 in game one and 4-3 in game two, while capping off the night with a 4-3 eight-inning win over Valdosta State (13-29).

In the first game against the Golden Rams, the Bucs pounded out 16 hits in the win led by Heather Hodges who went 3 for 4 with two triples, an RBI and four runs scored. Ashley Loose, Delilah Stroup, Amanda Moore, Kathleen McNamara and Erin Sutton each added two hits apiece, while Mailie Keeney led the offensive push with three RBI. Stroup also added an inside-the-park home run that edged the Rams in six innings 11-3. Barry's Sarah Backe (5-4) hurled the final five innings in relief giving up two runs, on three hits, while striking out six. Christina Harris (6-15) suffered the loss for the Rams giving up 16 hits, 11 runs and struck out one

The Rams' Corina Garcia (7-15) hurled 6.1 innings in the loss and held the Bucs to nine hits in the second game, but Barry took advantage of three Albany State errors for the win despite tying the game at three runs apiece in the seventh inning. Stroup drove in the winning run, one of her five RBI on the day, with an RBI triple giving the Bucs a 4-3 advantage. Although Backe went 6.2 innings and gave up three runs on six hits, Bennett (18-9) came in relief to pitch the last out of the inning to pick up the win.

In the nightcap, the Buccaneers suffered another near fall to the Valdosta State Blazers, but were able to hold on through the tiebreaker eighth inning for a 4-3 come-from-behind win. Hodges grounded out to the Blazer shortstop to lift the Bucs late. The Blazer tried to rally, but the Buccaneer defense tightened and shutdown a late surge over Valdosta. Bennett (19-9) picked up her second win of the day striking out seven in eight innings, while Brooke King (8-12) suffered the loss for the Blazers.

Stroup led the Bucs offensive threat going 6 for 9 at the plate with two singles, a double, a triple, two home runs, five RBI and scored four times. Hodges followed going 5 of 11 with two triples, three RBI and four runs scored.

The Buccaneers will resume Sunshine State Conference play on Apr. 2nd traveling to Winter Park, Fla. to take on the Rollins College Tars at 7 pm.

Barry 11, Albany St 3 (03/27/2004 at Lakeland, Fla.) (Game 1)
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Barry............... 351 011 - 11 16 4 (22-13)
Albany St........... 120 000 - 3 4 2 (13-29)
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Pitchers: Barry - Bennett; Backe(2). Albany St - Harris.
Win-Backe(5-4) Loss-Harris(6-15) T-1:40 A-0
HR BUS - Stroup (5).
Game: SB0327A

Barry 4, Albany St 3 (03/27/2004 at Lakeland, Fla.) (Game 2)
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Albany St........... 000 010 2 - 3 6 3 (13-30)
Barry............... 100 011 1 - 4 9 2 (23-13)
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Pitchers: Albany St - Garcia. Barry - Backe; Bennett(7).
Win-Bennett(18-9) Loss-Garcia(7-15) T-1:42 A-63
Game: SB0327B
Barry 4, Valdosta State 3 (03/24/2004 at Lakeland, Fla.)
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Barry............... 010 200 01 - 4 7 3 (23-13)
Valdosta State...... 102 000 00 - 3 6 0 (13-29)
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Pitchers: Barry - Bennett. Valdosta State - Hackett; King(7).
Win-Bennett(19-9) Loss-King(8-12) T-1:45 A-71
HR BUS - Stroup (6).
Hackett faced 2 batters in the 7th.
Game: SB0327C