Spring Break
Softball wins three in opening weekend
Addison Harvey
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: Sports
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ECU was faced with the challenge of having a double-header on back-to-back days. On Saturday, the Pirates defeated Virginia 9-1 and Middle Tennessee State 3-1.
Sophomore pitcher Toni Paisley picked up the win on the mound for the Pirates versus Virginia on Saturday in their 4-3 eight-inning win against MTSU in game one of their Sunday doubleheader. Paisley was making her return from shoulder surgery, which sidelined her for the entire 2008 season.
"I think she tries to be so perfect sometimes and wants to throw the no-hitter and shutout," said coach Tracey Kee. "And then when she does make a mistake, she uses it to her advantage to fire herself up."
Paisley finished up the weekend with a 2-0 record and one save, scattering three runs and seven hits over two games. The Lakewood, Calif. native was selected to the All-Tournament Team for her performance this weekend.
There was nothing Paisley could do versus the Cavaliers on Sunday, though, after pitching a complete game earlier in the day.
Senior pitcher Brook Swann struggled finding the strike zone early in the game and the Cavaliers took advantage of it.
Virginia scored six runs in the top of the second inning. The Pirates couldn't catch up the rest of the game as they also struggled at the plate offensively. ECU only mustered up three hits through seven innings in the 12-0 rout.
The Pirates needed extra innings to get past MTSU on Sunday. ECU got on the board first in the top of the second inning when the Blue Raiders' third baseman committed a throwing error on a Christina Merrida hit, scoring Sarah Bibee.
The lead would not last long, however. In the bottom of the third, Martha Davis blasted a Paisley rise ball over the left centerfield fence, giving MTSU a 2-1 advantage.
"I went into the game kind of in cruise control and made a few mistakes," said Paisley. "Once I saw that home run, I knew I couldn't let that happen. I amped everything up and focused, but that should be my focus from the first inning."
Paisley rebounded, not allowing another batter to reach base after the two-run home run. Shortstop Kaui Tom had a solid game at the plate for the Pirates, going 2-for-3 with an RBI in the eight-inning, 3-2 victory.
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