Wesleyan softball season ends in USA South Tournament

Burlington, NC - The Battling Bishop softball team of North Carolina Wesleyan saw its 2008 season come to an end over the weekend at the USA South Tournament. Wesleyan, the 7th seed, opened up play with a 13-1 win over Mary Baldwin on Friday before dropping a 5-3 decision to eventual champion Christopher Newport later in the day. The Bishops then fell to Ferrum College by a 4-2 score in extra innings in Saturday's first elimination game, ending the season with an 18-19 overall record and closing out the careers of senior Ashlee Bass, Katie Dunavant, Libby Fulford, and Denise Pope.

Against Ferrum, the 6th-seeded Panthers held a 2-0 lead for most of the game but were forced into extras when the Bishops plated two runs with two outs in the seventh. A hit and walk placed NCWC runners on first and second with two outs. Down to their last strike, the Bishops’ Jessica Poindexter tied the game with a double to left center.

Unfortunately, Ferrum crossed two in the eighth to advance and end Wesleyan's season.

Poindexter finished the tournament with a .500 batting average and six RBI after driving in four against Mary Baldwin and two against Ferrum. Fulford went 1-2 on the mound to finish at 12-14 on the season.

Bass and Fulford finish their careers as two of Wesleyan's premier players. Bass holds career records for fielding assists, hits, runs scored, total bases, and batting average, while Fulford tops career lists in appearances, complete games, innings pitched, and strikeouts, among others.

With a host of underclassmen making contributions during 2008, however, Bishop fans can look forward to a promising 2009 season!

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