Posted: Apr 28, 2012
The Maroons (28-9), winners of 14-of-16 after today's win, advances to the championship game for the first time since 2006. The program is 7-1 all-time in ODAC Championship Games as Roanoke makes its eighth conference championship appearance.
In the early innings, Bridgewater's Aven Thomas and Maroons' hurler Kelly Higbie locked up in a pitcher's duel as the game remained at a scoreless tie after three innings of action. Bridgewater threatened in the second and third, but couldn't convert as they stranded five runners over that span.
After Bridgewater broke the scoreless contest with a run in the top of the fourth, Roanoke responded with a run in the bottom half of that inning to tie the score again at 1-1.
All-time stolen bases leader Leona Rainey opened the inning with a single and was driven in off of a double from the bat of Stephanie Clark to bring the game back to a deadlock at a 1-1 tally. It was Rainey's 51st run of the year, second-most in the ODAC and four shy of the RC single-season record.
Bridgewater looked to get things going with two away in the frame. With runners at first and second, an error by the shortstop loaded the bases. Higbie, who has been resilient all season, pitched herself out of the bases-loaded jam to hold keep the game tied, 1-1.
Roanoke added a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead into the sixth. It took a two-out walk, a single and a two-base error to allow the Maroons to push home the go-ahead run.
Clark stung a one-out double, her second of the game, and was driven in off of a triple from the bat of Felice Lowery to build a 3-1 advantage for the Maroons after six complete.
Clark entered the game in relief of Higbie and recorded a strikeout and a pop out to second to end the ball game, sending Bridgewater to the loser's bracket with a 3-1 loss. It was her second save of the season.
Bridgewater's offense was paced by Williams' 2-for-3 effort, while four other batters recorded a hit along the way. The Eagles left 13 runners on base in the loss. Thomas picked up the loss in the circle, allowing three runs on five hits while fanning five.
Rainey and Clark led the way for the Roanoke offense with a pair of 2-for-3 performances. Both players also scored a run in the win. Clark, who now leads the ODAC in doubles with 16, moved her into second for most doubles in a single-season. It also gave Roanoke a school-record 82 doubles in a single-season. Rainey drew a walk which moved her into 10th all-time at RC with 41.
Lowery drove in an run to move into eighth on the all-time RBI's list (104) and hit her sixth triple to move her into sixth all-time in that category.
Higbie (23-8) earned the victory in the circle, allowing one run on six hits. She now holds the Roanoke single-season wins record, which former NFCA First-Team All-American and 2011 RC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Amy Layman '01 held for 12 years. Higbie, who already has broken single-season marks in innings pitched, complete games and games started, broke the single-season mark in appearances with 37 as of today. Her three strikeouts today gave her 114 on the season, which is the third-most in a season, three shy of second in that category.
The Maroons will await the winner of the loser's bracket and will play as the home team in the ODAC Championship game. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Moyer Complex, with the second game (if necessary) at 4 p.m.
FREE Passes are available tomorrow for Roanoke College Students, Faculty and Staff.
