VERONA, Wis. (Apr. 22, 2008) – The Eagles kept three streaks alive on Tuesday, sweeping conference rival Maranatha Baptist by scores of 9-1 and 13-3. With the wins, Edgewood College extended their current winning streak to six games while maintaining their unbeaten streak at Ceniti Park which has now reached 10 games. Most impressively the Eagles won their 23rd and 24th straight games against Maranatha Baptist, having last lost to the Crusaders 9-6 on April 28, 1999.
In game one the Eagles scored three runs in the first inning while pouring on four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the 9-1 win in a game shortened to five innings due to the eight-run rule. Maranatha Baptist jumped out to the early 1-0 lead, scoring a run thanks to a Rebekah Witter sac fly in the top of the first inning. The Eagles would respond, shutting down the Crusader offense while piling on nine runs.
Jennifer Stephens (3-3) pitched three innings to pick up the win while Rebekah Witter (2-12) took the loss pitching four and two-thirds innings, allowing eight earned runs. Both team's pitching staffs combined to hit six batters during the game and eight overall during the course of the series. Four Eagles recorded multiple hits in the game with three Eagles driving in two runs.
Brittany Rynes and
Colleen Joyce continued their hot hitting, each getting two hits and two RBIs.
Edgewood College scored 12 runs in the final three innings to earn the series sweep with a 13-3 win in six innings. The Eagles scored one run in the top of the first and would be held scoreless until erupting in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to increase the lead to 5-0. The Eagles would add seven in the sixth inning to ice the game. Rachel Elliot (3-2) pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing two earned runs to pick up her third win of the season. Maranatha's Barb Gerlach (1-10) absorbed the loss, pitching four innings and allowing five runs.
Jamie Kurt led the offensive charge for the Eagles, hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Kurt joined
Jennifer Stephens and
Jenna Ryan as the three Eagles with multiple hits in the game.
Senior
Jennifer Stephens scored her 140th and 141st runs of her career during the series to move within one run of tying the school record of 142 set by Kristen Elliott from 1991-94.
With the wins the Eagles improve to 19-11 overall and 14-6 in conference while the Crusaders drop to 3-23 overall and 3-17 in NAC action. Edgewood College is now 40-2 in the all-time series with Maranatha Baptist. Edgewood College returns to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader against Marian College. Game time is 4 p.m. at Ceniti Park. Wednesday's game will also be the first of three softball webcasts on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.
Summary by Mark Albanese, Sports Information
