RALEIGH, N.C. -- East Carolina University's softball team split its two games on the opening day of the Triangle Classic, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Raleigh's Walnut Creek Park. The Pirates defeated Radford, 8-2, and lost to Michigan State, 1-0.

ECU is now 2-2 on the 2003 season and will continue play in the 25-team Triangle Classic with a single game against Temple on Saturday at 12 noon.

The Pirates pounded out 11 hits in the day's opener against Radford. Dany'ele Hill and Kristin Johnson, both juniors, each went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three runs apiece. Christine Sheridan, a freshman, was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

On the mound, freshman Brittany Boyd and sophomore Maggie Lingo combined to hold the Highlanders to seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Boyd, who went five innings, was credited with the victory.

The Pirates got another solid pitching effort from freshman Brenly Bridgeforth against Michigan State, but was unable to give her any run support in a 1-0 loss.

Bridgeforth limited the Spartans to six hits while walking five and striking out three in a complete-game effort. However, the Pirate batters were held without a hit at the plate.