University of Nevada Las Vegas
Eastern Kentucky
3/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Despite an 11-strikeout performance by freshman pitcher Becky McDonald, the UNLV softball team dropped a 2-1 game to Eastern Kentucky in the first round of the Capital Classic Tournament on Thursday night.
McDonald was not the only pitcher on her game. EKU starter Jonelle Csora struck out 12 and improved to 6-2 on the year with the win. But McDonald, who fell to 1-8 on the season, turned in perhaps her best performance of the year. She fanned the first six batters she faced and retired the first eight before issuing a walk.
EKU (11-4) figured out the lefty's speed in the fourth, however. Elise Burch broke up the potential no-hitter with a line drive to right to lead off the inning. Jennifer Norris then drew a walk, and a second single to right by Amy Herrington loaded the bases with nobody out.
Beth Herrington then delivered the game's biggest hit, a long drive to deep center and over the head of Rebel centerfielder Carrie Bayless. The hit was good for two bases, scoring both Colonel runs.
Once the lead was established, Csora did her work from the circle. The Rebels (13-18) managed just three singles over the next three innings and saw two scoring opportunities quelled by strikeouts.
UNLV finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh as freshman catcher Carly Petracco drilled her first career homer over the left-center fence. But with nobody on base, it cut the lead to just 2-1, and soon after the Colonels recorded the final two outs of the game.
The loss marks the fifth straight for UNLV. However, the Rebels will have five more opportunities in Sacramento over the next three games. They resume play on Friday morning with back-to-back games against Iowa and Long Island at 9 a.m.
