March 5, 2006

Final Stats

Greenville, N.C.--- East Carolina senior Krista Jessup connected for two doubles and scored two runs while junior Keli Harrell continued her dominance on the mound, as the Pirates defeated Longwood 5-1 Sunday in the championship game of the Hampton Inn Pirate Clash.

Jessup, who finished the tournament hitting .529 (9-of-17) while scoring four runs and collecting three RBI was named tournament MVP.

ECU (14-5), acting as visiting team, started the scoring off in the top of the first when Jessup led off with a double and later scored on a Beth Nolan ground ball that was bobbled by Longwood pitcher Rachel Mills.

The Pirates then added to its lead in the top of the fourth inning when freshman Vanessa Moreno reached on an error and stole second. Sophomore Paige Baggett then singled to right field to make the score 2-0.

Longwood (9-7) then responded in the bottom of the fourth, when Mallory Gordon connected for a two-out single to score catcher Pepper Wilson and cut the lead to one.

In the bottom of the sixth the Pirates' added some insurance when pinch runner Brently Bridgeforth stole second base and then came in to score on an errant throw by Longwood third baseman Kori Bonner.

ECU capped off its scoring in the seventh when Jessup again led off with a double and scored on a Nolan single. Pinch runner Sara Bibee then stole second base and raced around to score on a two-out single by freshman Jessica Johnson.

Harrell (7-3), pitching her third complete game of the tournament and fifth of the season, allowed six hits while striking out 10 and walking one to earn the victory.

East Carolina will return to action Wednesday at 4 p.m. whey it hosts North Carolina at the ECU Softball Field.

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