Wingate, N.C.----Lenoir-Rhyne University freshman infielder Jessica Fellmeth (Waxhaw, N.C.) had two homers and six RBI, including the go-ahead grand slam in the fifth inning as the seventh-ranked Bears defeated Wingate University 7-4 in the first game on day three of the 2010 Food Lion SAC Tournament Saturday morning. LRU improves to 47-7 overall and will play Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs fall to 35-15 overall; they are eliminated from the tournament.
Fellmeth was two-for-four on the day, with a two-run homer along with the grand slam. Sophomore catcher Sarah Atkins (Newport News, Va.) was two-for-two with a run scored. Senior designated player Ashley Duckworth (Conover, N.C.) was one-for-four with two runs scored.
Sophomore outfielder Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) was one-for-two with a homer and two RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Sophomore outfielder Jessica Bowen (Matthews, N.C.) came off the bench to go two-for-two with an RBI, while senior outfielder LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.) was one-for-three with a run scored.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead, getting a two-run homer from Chavis in the first. The round-tripper was her eighth of the season. The Bears would tie the game in the fourth on a two-run blast to center from Fellmeth.
Wingate answered with a run in the fourth to regain the lead. Grijalva walked to lead off the inning, went to second on a sacrifice, then scored on an LRU error to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 edge.
LRU plated five runs in the fifth to take the lead. The first run would score when Rivers reached on a Wingate error in the outfield, scoring senior outfielder Brittany Cherry (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) to tie the contest at three. The Bears then loaded the bases for Fellmeth, who blasted her eighth homer of the season to right. The grand slam made the score 7-3. The Bears have scored 16 of their 20 runs in the 2010 tournament in the fifth inning. Wingate added one run in the seventh on an RBI single from Bowen for the final 7-4 deficit.
Freshman right-hander Alex Smith (Cocoa, Fla.) got the win, moving to 21-4 overall on the season. She allowed three earned runs on five hits in seven innings of work, while striking out seven. Junior right-hander Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) took the loss, falling to 16-7 overall on the season. She allowed four runs on five hits in three innings, striking out four.
The Bears will return to action at 4 p.m. Saturday, taking on the loser of the Carson-Newman College vs. Mars Hill College game at 1:30 p.m.
(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)
Quotes
Wingate University head coach Michelle Caddigan
…when asked about momentum shifts during LRU game
“This has been the story of our season…nothing comes easy for us. You must give Lenoir-Rhyne credit. They swung the bat (today) and took advantage of every opportunity.
…when asked about her team’s season
“I have to give our players credit…they fight and never give up until the last out. I am so proud of how hard they have worked. There have fought hard all season. Their determination is admirable.”
Lenoir-Rhyne University freshman 1b/OF Jessica Fellmeth
…when asked about her second at-bat (and first home run)
“I was looking for an inside pitch…and I got a good look.”
…when asked about her performance
“Today was fun. I want to get a good swing (each at-bat). I want to make contact and put the ball in play. I want to play hard and give all I have.”
Lenoir-Rhyne University head coach Shena Hollar
…when asked about her team’s performance
“I am proud of the way we battled today. We did the small things well. Our team is developing confidence. We told them last night…we must play two doubleheaders…win two Saturday, win two Sunday…and we’ve been doing this all year.”
…when asked about her team’s production in the fifth inning during the Food Lion SAC tournament (16 of team’s 20 runs have been scored in the fifth)
“I can’t explain it. I guess we cycle back through the line-up by the fifth inning. I hope it continues.”
