Thursday, May 11, 2006

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- In a battle of lefties, Campbell sophomore Lauren Caviness outdueled Mercer senior Katie Rosentreter as the Camels defeated the Bears 2-0 in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Softball Championship at FAU Softball Stadium.

Caviness (17-14) allowed just two hits and walked four. Rosentreter (17-12) struck out nine and walked one while surrendering four hits. Campbell scored its runs early against Rosentreter, as senior Erica Willis delivered a single to rightfield with one out in the second. Junior Stephenie Pappas and senior Corri Long crossed home on the play for the 2-0 lead.

Mercer threatened in the third but could not capitalize. Rosentreter ripped an offering from her counterpart deep down the leftfield line that glanced foul just before hitting the wall, sending baserunner C.J. Martin back to first base.

Rosentreter, who was named Pitcher of the Year in the conference earlier in the week, eventually ended the inning when she grounded into a double play to the shortstop.

Mercer got its first hit of the game in the fourth on a Jamie Madruga single back up the middle. Madruga, the seventh baserunner against Caviness in the first four innings, was then gunned down at second while attempting to steal, becoming the third runner left on base for the Bears.

Caviness was in control for the remainder of the game, allowing just one hit and no walks in the final three innings.

Later this evening, Campbell will advance to face the winner of the #2 FAU/#5 ETSU matchup at 6 pm and Mercer will face the winner of #1 Stetson/#6 Gardner-Webb game at 8 pm.

Release courtesy of FAU Athletic Communications