March 24, 2010

Gameday Central | Complete Game Notes In PDF Form

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Following a 10-day layoff from game action due to snow in Tulsa, Okla., last weekend, the East Carolina softball team (11-11) returns to the field Wednesday with a nonconference doubleheader at N.C. Central (5-19). First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Thomas Brooks Athletic Complex in Cary, N.C.

The Pirates return home this weekend, hosting Marshall (15-12, 1-5 C-USA) for a three-game Conference USA series. The teams play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m. and wrap up the weekend Sunday with a 12:00 p.m. contest.

Pirates Against The Eagles ...
East Carolina earned a victory in the only meeting between the two programs as it beat N.C. Central 13-0 Feb. 8, 2008, at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C.

In that contest, current senior Christina Merrida established her career high with four hits while classmate Cristen Aona drove in four runs on three hits. Stacey Andrews (3), Paige Baggett (2) and Jessica Johnson (2) also picked up multiple runs batted in during the contest.

In the circle, Britt Howell and Brooke Swann combined to shut out the Eagles on only one hit, a single by starting pitcher Stacey Greene.

Two-Out Magic ...
ECU has scored 76 runs this season with 37 coming when there are two outs. That amounts to 48.7 percent of the team's total.

Saturday, March 13, against Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis, East Carolina scored all six of its runs with two outs. During that week, the Pirates scored nine runs and produced seven two-out RBI.

That Fifth-Inning Feeling ...
The fifth inning has been East Carolina's biggest run producer this season as the Pirates have outscored their opponents 23-9 during the frame. Of the six runs ECU scored March 13 against Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis, four were scored in the fifth.

Two Is Better Than One ...
In the second game of the Wednesday, March 10, doubleheader at Fresno State, East Carolina picked up a 3-2 victory in eight innings. It was the team's first one-run victory of the season after it dropped the first six one-run contests. The Pirates are much better in two-run affairs, as they have a 4-2 mark in such contests.

Making The Most Of It ...
This season, East Carolina has driven in 19 of 43 runners from third base with fewer than two outs. That converts to 44.2 percent. Opponents have not been nearly as successful, or had as many chances, driving in runs in only eight of their 27 opportunities, good for 29.6 percent.