Posted: Apr 09, 2009
SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke swept Emory & Henry, 2-0, 8-7 (8) in ODAC doubleheader action Wednesday evening at the Moyer Complex. The Maroons are now 20-8 overall, 10-6 in the ODAC. The Wasps dropped to 4-22, 1-13 in the conference.
The Maroons are now 32-2 all-time in series, including the last six meetings against the Wasps. They clinched a spot in the newly formatted eight-team ODAC Softball Tournament and remain in the hunt for a possible #3 seed.
Between games, the coaching staff recognized Jessica Zeman during senior day festivities followed with Whitney Purvis '08, who was recognized for her honorable mention All-ODAC selection last spring.
Kelsey Ruitenberg (7-1) collected both wins in the doubleheader, including a complete game shutout in a 2-0 win in game one. She struck out eight batters, scattered four hits walking only one. Janie Holmes led Roanoke going 2-for-3 at the plate.
Sara Caudle led off the game with a walk, stole second and scored off of Lisa Scruggs' RBI double to right center to go on top, 1-0 in the first inning.
Roanoke added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as Clarissa Norwich reached base on a throwing error as pinch runner Taylor Zahn scored from second.
Megan Evans (1-6) took the loss for E&H, allowing only three hits while striking out three with one earned run. Dana Dettmar went 2-for-3 to lead the Wasps.
The Maroons won game two in eight innings, 8-7 as Ruitenberg picked up the win in relief. The Maroons won the game as Lindly Theroux scored off a wild pitch to claim their 20th win of the season. She was put on second as the international rule was in effect. She advanced to third on Zemans' sacrifice bunt to set up the winning run.
Norwich and Ruitenberg doubled as Norwich scored her first of three runs of the contest as Roanoke grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Zeman scored in the third as she drew a walk, stole second and scored off Caudles' single to right field to go up, 2-0.
Emory & Henry tied the game in the top of the fifth, but the Maroons responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 5-2 lead.
With two outs and runners on second and third, Zeman scored her second run of the game off a wild pitch and Ruitenberg hit her second double to left field to score Norwich. Holmes single to right field brought in Ruitenberg to take a three-run lead.
The Wasps didn't panic and hit two home runs that produced five runs to take a commanding 7-5 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
With two outs and needing two runs to stay alive, the Roanoke coaching staff put in pinch-hitter Felice Lowery along with pinch runner Jaci Clark on second while Norwich was at third. The strategy paid off as Lowery singled to centerfield as Clark was on her heels and scored from second to tie it at 7-7 and force extra innings.
Gabby Moss and Ruitenberg went 2-for-4 in the win. The Geneva, IL native hit two doubles which gives her 11 on the season with a run scored and two RBI. Norwich scored three runs with her fifth double of the season. Zeman scored twice including her sixth stolen base of the season in the win.
Sam Baker (1-6) took the loss for Emory & Henry, giving up three runs in her relief appearance. Stephanie Cartwright had a no-decision, pitching 5.1 innings with one strikeout and allowed two earned runs.
The women will host Ferrum this Monday, April 13 at the Moyer Complex in non-conference action. The Maroons are 12-8 vs. the Panthers, winning four of the last five meetings. Game time for the doubleheader begins at 6 p.m.
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