Sweet 200: Orange Hits Program Milestone With Two Big Wins

Friday, March 14

Charleston, S.C.

6:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

Charleston (College of Charleston Classic)

Nicole Miller had a career game with four RBI and her first home run against Charleston

Sweet 200: Orange Hits Program Milestone With Two Big Wins

3/14/2008 10:05:26 PM | Softball

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Two victories by the Orange softball team during the first day of the College of Charleston Classic resulted in the program's 200th victory, thanks to a 2-1, eight-inning, win against Binghamton and a 12-4 routing of host-school Charleston. Against the Bearcats, eighth-inning heroics by sophomore leftfielder Ev Anderson, who gunned down the tying run at home plate to end the game, gave SU its 199 all-time victory. The 200 mark was reached after the Orange unloaded a season-high 17 hits – one shy of tying the school record – and had seven student-athletes tally multi-hit games against the Cougars.

"It was great to reach this milestone and we did it in such a excellent way," said head coach Leigh Ross. "We put it all together with every player hitting the ball hard and we capitalized on the chances that were given to us."

During game two, junior shortstop Jamie Kelling and junior catcher Amy Kelley each totaled a team-high three hits.

Junior first baseman Nicole Miller came through with a clutch single to centerfield to drive in two runs in the bottom of the fifth and then hit her first career home run, a two-run shot over the leftfield fence in the six. Her fourth RBI was a career high.

Along with Miller, senior pitcher Chanel Roehner, senior centerfielder Rachel Tilford, junior second baseman Lindsay Wasek and freshman Rachel Helman each produced two hits.

Despite falling behind 4-0 after three-and-a-half innings, the Orange rallied in the bottom of the third to score four runs, thanks in large part to a three-run throwing error. Kelley produced SU's fourth run of the inning when she doubled to right center to score Tilford.

Tilford made her mark defensively in the first by throwing out a runner at third to help SU out of a jam and leave one runner stranded.

The Orange bats were back at it in the fifth to take a 6-4 lead when Miller drove in two. In the sixth, SU posted its best inning of the season by scoring six runs. A doubled to left center by Helman scored Kelling to end the game.

Roehner pitched all six innings, allowing one earned run, while striking out three. She is 3-5 on the year. College of Charleston junior pitcher Shannon Howard went 5.0 innings, allowing five earned runs and is now 5-9.

"There were a number of things that really helped us during the game," said associate head coach Kyle Jamieson. "Rachel's huge throw to first stopped a big rally. Chanel, after giving up four, still gave us a chance to win by getting her composure and throws a few more shutout innings. And our hits were key. It is contagious and that’s what we have been saying all year. Nicole was batting in the ninth spot and she gave us four RBI."

Setting up the Orange's first win, Roehner scored in the top of the eighth after starting on second base as part of international tie-breaking rules. Kelling laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Roehner to third. Roehner then scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman third baseman Hallie Gibbs.

In the bottom of the inning, Binghamton loaded the bases with one out and Roehner was brought in to close the game. Binghamton's Shannon McLeese flied out to Anderson to set up the game-ending play at the plate, which Kelley helped produce by getting the tag down in time.

Sophomore pitcher Brittany Gardner earned her second win of the year (2-3) by throwing 7.1 innings, striking out a season-best nine.

The Bearcats got on the board first when junior Stacy Meadows attempted to steal second with freshman Brianna Andrews on third base. Kelley's throw to second was cut off by Kelling, whose throw couldn't beat Andrew's to the plate. Meadows advanced to third, but Gardner got the Orange out of the jam by inducing a ground out and a fly out.

The Orange threatened with two runners in scoring position in the top of the second. Kelley singled in between third and short to extend her hitting streak to four games, while Wasek laid down a bunt and reached when Binghamton unsuccessfully went to second. Junior designated player Jordan Rosen grounded out to third to advance the runners. An extended catch by Binghamton second baseman Michelle Olivieri on a line drive conveniently led to a double play.

Gardner's arm came alive in the bottom of the fourth and the fifth when she totaled five strikeouts, including three straight in the fourth and two in the fifth. She also sat down two consecutive batters to start the second inning.

Two errors cost Binghamton its lead after Roehner reached first on an error to leadoff the sixth. Kelling followed with a bunt single and she and Roehner advanced on an error. Gibbs grounded to short, allowing Roehner to cross home for the first time of the game. She leads the team with nine runs scored.

Bearcats junior Jessica Whitaker pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one run and striking out two batters, to go to 0-5.

The Orange is back in action at the College of Charleston Classic on Saturday, Mar. 15 when it takes on BIG EAST rival St. John's in a non-conference game at 11 a.m. and matches up with Charleston again at 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow the game via live stats.