May 11, 2007

Columbus, GA - Jessie Armstrong pitched a five-hit shutout and Katie Speaks homered as Carson-Newman stayed alive with a 2-0 shutout over Coker in day two of the 2007 Division II Softball South Atlantic Regional at South Commons Stadium. Coker ended its season with a 38- 12 record.

Armstrong and Coker starter Somer Bigham were locked in a pitcher's duel through the first four innings of play. Armstrong limited Coker to three hits and Bigham scattered three hits as she pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second when she got Hillary Hammond to line- out to third base.

The Eagles scored the game's only two runs in the fifth inning. Katie Speaks launched her second homer of the regional with a shot to right center to give CNC a 1-0 lead. Whitney Hickam and Mandy Stevens both singled to put runners at first and second. Sara Little then stepped up and delivered a run-scoring double to make the score 2-0. Shelly Catlett relieved Bigham and escaped further damage with a pop-out and a strike out.

Jessie Armstrong (15-9) scattered five hits, walked one, and struck out two in the complete-game effort. Bigham got the loss for the Cobras.

Whitney Hickam went 2-for-3 for Carson-Newman. Julia Nelson-Abbott went 2-for-3 for Coker.

Carson-Newman (35-15) faces the loser of tonight's game between Armstrong Atlantic State and Georgia College & State tomorrow morning at 11 AM at South Commons Stadium.

(Courtesy Columbus State Sports Information)

Quotes from Carson-Newman Head Coach Vickee Hollifield:

On team's effort: If we would give that effort every time out, we would have half as many losses as we do. I was impressed with how hard we played.

I think our upperclassmen are beginning to realize they need to be examples for this team. They wanted it today and it fed through the dugout.

On pitcher Jessie Armstrong: She pitched very well. She battled out of jams, forced Coker to hit good pitches, she was just really solid.

On catcher Amber Palmer: I thought she called a great game. Her control behind home plate carried us.