Date Posted: 4/26/2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - Sophomore right-hander Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) tossed a three-hit shutout and ETSU's surging offense rewarded her by pounding out 13 hits en route to a 6-0 victory over Kennesaw State in game one Saturday afternoon from Bailey Park. Hardy battled Angela Lopez pitch-by-pitch in game two, but Lyndsay McCurry’s two-out RBI single to right snapped a scoreless affair in the fifth and lifted the Owls to 1-0 win in game two.

In game one, the Lady Bucs made up for leaving runners stranded in the top of the second, and exploded for three runs on five hits the following inning. Sophomore sensation Katy Jett (Talbott, Tenn.) led off the third with a scorching single to left and advanced to third on a successful hit-and-run attempt from the bat of Vicki McCoy (Ringgold, Ga.). McCoy singled to right-center and Jett eventually came home on ETSU's third single of the inning by junior slugger Jessie Hackworth (Clinton, Tenn.). Haverman drove in the Softball Bucs' second run on a deep sacrifice fly to right – which plated sophomore catcher Trisha Massenzo (Russellville, Tenn.). Sophomore standout Marissa Hardy (Rocklin, Calif.) helped her cause in the circle when her double to the fence in right-center scored Hackworth easily from second, putting ETSU on top, 3-0.

The hits and runs continued to pile up for the Lady Bucs in the fourth as they extended their advantage to, 6-0. Cason led things off with a single to center and advanced to second after Jett reached on a fielder’s choice. Jett hit one to Amanda Malcom at short, but with Cason running on the play, she was able to dodge the tag at second. From there, both runners moved up a base on a Matthews wild pitch and Cason scored on McCoy's RBI grounder to third. After Jett found her in a rundown between short and third, Cason broke home and beat the throw from Malcom. Jett scored on ETSU's second sac fly of the game – which came off the bat of Massenzo. Following Hackworth's second single of the game; Haverman was singing double vision all the way to second as she drove in Hackworth from first with a two-bagger to right-center.

Hardy was cruising in the circle through the first four innings as she retired 11 of the first 13 batters she faced – while five came via the punch out.

After roughing up Matthews – the Preseason Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Year selection – KSU made a pitching change and went to freshman Jessica Cross in relief. The Lady Bucs made Senior Day a memorable one for the left-handed ace as ETSU tagged her for six runs on nine hits in four innings of work. Matthews saw her mark fall to 21-8 and it also marked back-to-back years ETSU dealt her a loss.

The three runs in the third and fourth innings were more than enough for Hardy to work with as she paced her way to an already single-season program best 17th victory. The Rocklin, Calif. native was having a blast in the circle as tossed a three-hit shutout, marking her third blanking of the campaign. Hardy also notched her eighth 10-plus strikeout performance of the season by punching out 11 Owl batters.

Once again the top of the lineup was producing for head coach Andrea Mangrum’s Lady Bucs. The 1-through-5 hitters combined for 10 of the 13 hits and five RBI. Jett finished game one 3-for-5 with two runs scored and McCoy, Massenzo, and Hackworth each recorded two-hit games; while Haverman drove in two runs.

KSU responded in game two, scoring the lone run of the nightcap in the home half of the fifth inning. Hollie Huffman led off the frame with a single to right center and quickly advanced to second on Sarah Hesterman's sacrifice bunt.

After a Jamie KeKaulua pop up, Lyndsay McCurry notched her ninth RBI of the season when her single fell in the gap in right center, leaving plenty of time for the speedy Huffman to plate the game-winning run.

Angela Lopez (7-5) earned the victory in her final collegiate appearance, earning her second shutout of the season after throwing seven strong innings with five hits and five strikeouts. Hardy (17-13) suffered the loss despite allowing just four hits and one walk.

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