Posted: Apr 13, 2009
SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke split a softball doubleheader with nearby Ferrum in non-conference action Monday evening. The Maroons are now 21-9 on the season while the Panthers' record now stands at 17-19. Roanoke still holds a slight edge in the series, 13-9.
Roanoke won game one, 8-4 as Gretchen Wolfe (7-4) earned her seventh win of the season in three innings of relief and two strikeouts. Kelsey Ruitenberg earned her first save of the season for the Maroons.
Lisa Scruggs finished 2-for-3 with two runs and a double. Felice Lowery also went 2-for-3 in the win with an RBI. Kristin McCormick had a two-RBI double with a run scored while Jessica Zeman hit her first career grand slam with four RBI and two runs.
Ruitenberg started things off in the first inning with a two-out single up the middle which scored Zeman from second to take an early 1-0 lead. Zeman stole second to tie current assistant coach and 2008 alum Loren Messick for 10th all-time in career stolen bases (19).
Scruggs started off the third inning with a lead-off double, her seventh of the season. Lowery drove her home from second with a single to left center to take a 2-0 lead.
Ferrum tied the game at 2-2 as Meagan Farrell and Lauren Thurman smacked back-to-back homers in the top of the fourth.
The Maroons responded in the bottom of the fourth as McCormick drove in two runs with her second double of the season to regain the lead, 4-2. Wolfe, who was pitching in relief, helped her cause as she started the inning with her first hit of the season as she singled to left center. She advanced to third thanks to Sara Caudle's double down the leftfield line which set up McCormick.
Zeman provided more highlights to break the game open with her grand slam to dead center to take a commanding 8-2 lead. Christina Ramos walked to put her and McCormick on first and second. Scruggs added her second hit of the game to load the bases.
In game two, Roanoke fell to Ferrum, 4-1. Sara Caudle went 2-for-3 while Taylor Zahn and McCormick each finished 1-for-1 with singles in the loss.
Janie Holmes came in the game with no outs and bases loaded in the top of the first. The defense got her out of the jam as only one run scored as the Panthers took a 1-0 lead.
Roanoke tied the game at one apiece in the third as pinch runner Jaci Clark scored off a Lindly Theroux's sacrifice bunt. Clark stole second and Zahn's infield single advanced her to third.
Ferrum took a three-run lead in the top of the fifth as Lauren Rizzo's three-run blast to left field gave the Panthers a 4-1 lead and eventually the win.
Ruitenberg (7-2), took the loss for the Maroons, striking out three in relief for the second-straight game. Holmes also pitched in relief, striking out five.
The women will travel to Harrisonburg, Va. to take on Eastern Mennonite Wednesday, April 15 in ODAC action. The Maroons are 26-6 all-time against the Royals, winning the last four meetings. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
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