VALDOSTA, Ga. -- The Barry University softball team (12-6) picked up three straight wins earlier today at the South Region Crossover hosted by Valdosta State at Freedom Park. The Buccaneers defeated the North Alabama Lions 3-0 in the early game, won the middle game 4-2 over the host Blazers and then capped off the day with a 3-0 win over the Delta State Lady Statesmen.

In the first game, Kim Fujimoto (Jr., Carmichael, Calif.) gave Barry an early 1-0 lead over the Lions (4-6) with an RBI double, which scored Delilah Stroup (Sr., Punta Gorda, Fla.) from second. The Buccaneers capitalized on a Lion error in the fourth and scored a run and Ashley Loose (So., Mill Creek, Wash.) drove in the Bucs' other run on an RBI single which led the Bucs final score 3-0. Elizabeth Bennett (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) improved to 7-4 hurling a three-hit shutout and struck out five. North Alabama's Sabrina Roberts (2-2) suffered the loss giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits and struck out six.

In the second game, the Buccaneers faced off with the host Blazers (2-11) which has also become a new rivalry in recent years. Barry's Holli Davis (Fr., Lake Havasu, Ariz.) put the Buccaneers on the board first with a two-run home run in the top of the second inning. Stroup later hit a solo shot to centerfield in the sixth and Davis added another solo home run in the seventh as Barry outscored the Blazers 4-2 in the final. Bennett (8-4) picked up the win in relief pitching the final four innings and gave up only two hits and struck out four. Ramie Garcia (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) earned the starting nod, but was pulled after three innings giving up two runs (one earned). Kristen Lindsey (0-4) suffered the loss for the Blazers after giving up three runs on five Buccaneer hits and struck out only one.

The final game of the split triple-header, the Buccaneers faced the Lady Statesmen who they had beaten earlier in the year 1-0 at the St. Mary's Classic in San Antonio, Texas. Nearly the same tale was the result of this meeting, but the Bucs scattered seven hits over the seven innings and scored three runs in the 3-0 win. Garcia (4-2) earned the starting nod for the second game in a row and picked up the win in her longest outing since Feb. 19th. She hurled a six-hit shutout and struck out four, while Delta State's Kelly Stokes (0-2) suffered the loss for the Lady Statesmen by giving up all three of Barry's runs on five hits and struck out one.

Fujimoto led the Buccaneers at the plate going 5 of 9 at the plate over the three games, with a double and an RBI. Keeney followed going 4 of 9 with two doubles and an RBI, while the rookie Davis led the team with two home runs and three RBI. Stroup also added the Bucs' only other home run. The opposition combined were held to a mere 13 hits over the 21 innings played.

The Buccaneers will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 11 am for the final game of the South Region Crossover facing Lincoln Memorial at 11 am.

(Game 1)
Barry 3, North Alabama 0 (02/26/2005 at Valdosta, Ga.)
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North Alabama....... 000 000 0 - 0 3 1 (4-6)
Barry............... 001 200 X - 3 7 0 (10-6)
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Pitchers: North Alabama - S. Roberts. Barry - Bennett.
Win-Bennett(7-4) Loss-S. Roberts(2-2) T-1:37 A-71
Game: SB0226A

(Game 2)
Barry 4, Valdosta State 2 (02/26/2005 at Valdosta, Ga.)
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Barry............... 020 001 1 - 4 7 3 (11-6)
Valdosta State...... 000 200 0 - 2 4 0 (2-11)
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Pitchers: Barry - Garcia; Bennett(4). Valdosta State - Lindsey; Ten Hoope(7).
Win-Bennett(8-4) Loss-Lindsey(0-4) T-1:51 A-83
HR BUS - Stroup (3); Davis 2 (3).
Garcia faced 3 batters in the 4th.
Game: SB0226B

(Game 3)
Barry 3, Delta State 0 (02/26/2005 at Valdosta, Ga.)
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Delta State......... 000 000 0 - 0 6 0 (6-13)
Barry............... 000 300 X - 3 7 0 (12-6)
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Pitchers: Delta State - Stokes; Smart(4). Barry - Garcia.
Win-Garcia(4-2) Loss-Stokes(0-2) T-1:40 A-57
Stokes faced 3 batters in the 4th.
Game: SB0226C