NCWC softball improves to 7-1 with sweep of Meredith

Raleigh, NC - The Battling Bishop softball team continued its impressive start to the season by recording a twinbill sweep over Meredith College on Friday afternoon.  The Bishops took game one by an 11-1 score behind a four-RBI performance by junior Ashlee Bass (pictured).   Wesleyan then breezed to a 9-1 win in game two thanks to another solid performance by junior hurler Karen Hathcock.  Wesleyan is now 7-1 overall entering Sunday's USA South Conference opener.

In game one, Wesleyan took an early 3-0 lead in the third on RBI-singles by Krystal Newbern and Bass.  Meredith managed one run in the fifth off of Bishop starter Libby Fulford, but the Bishops put the game out of reach with an eight-spot in the following inning.  NCWC recorded eight hits and benefited from four Angel errors during the game-sealing rally.

Bass, Fulford, and Whitney Moshier each recorded two hits for the Bishops, who ripped 12 hits as a team.  Fulford moved to 4-1 on the season after going the distance and allowing the lone run on five hits.  She also struck out five on the day.

Game two saw Wesleyan jump out to a 9-0 lead after five complete, due in part to a six-run fifth inning.

Newbern, Bass, Courtney Tucker, and Denise Pope paced the Bishop offense with two hits apiece.  Hathcock remained undefeated in the circle at 3-0 after scattering six hits and allowing just one run.

The Bishops open USA South play at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday when they host Shenandoah University.  Sunday will also serve as the 2007 home opener at Edge Field.