Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Campbell
Late Offense Leads 'Cats to Win
3/10/2011 9:00:00 PM | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Weber State softball team (3-5) scored seven runs over the final three innings on Thursday to power a 7-2 win over Campbell University (8-11) in the opening game of the Diamond Devil Invitational tournament at Farrington Stadium.
Angela DeVries held the Fighting Camels scoreless for six innings, striking out seven to earn her second win of the season for Weber State. The sophomore from North Ogden, Utah, scattered four hits and five walks to hold Campbell without a run until they finally broke through in the seventh inning. DeVries came up big in the third inning, inducing a bases-loaded foul-out after allowing three Camels to reach base.
The Wildcats threatened in every inning, but stranded seven runners over the first four innings before finally striking for a single run in the top of the fifth. Erika James led off the inning with a single, and then moved to third on a throwing error after stealing her second base of the game. Lyndsey Minnich then plated James on a well executed squeeze bunt.
The Wildcats then put the game away in the sixth inning, scoring four times in the frame to take a 5-0 lead. London Clarke kicked off the rally with a one-out bunt single. Brandi Christopher then walked, and with two outs, James singled up the middle to drive home both runners. Symbree Minniear then struck with her second home run of the season for another two runs.
Weber State added another two runs in the top of the seventh. Sarah Clark, pinch running for Britinie Hardine, was doubled to third by Heather Jackson, and scored on a wild pitch. After London Clarke walked, she stole second base, allowing Jackson to steal home on the throw from the Campbell catcher.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Camels finally put some runs on the board. After DeVries gave up a single and a walk to open the inning, Hardine came on in relief. Katie Hinton then singled on a bunt to load the bases with no outs. Lizzie Goldbach flied out to left field and WSU's Shaila Rivers gunned down Melissa Elks at the plate to prevent a run and ring up a double play. Hardine allowed a pair of singles and a walk that produced the pair of runs for the Fighting Camels before ending the game on a flyout by Christina Melton.
James led the offense for the Wildcats, going 3-for-5 with two runs, two stolen bases, and two RBI. She was the lone 'Cat to record more than one hit on the day. The center fielder has nine hits in her last 19 at-bats for a .474 average over the stretch, and improved her season batting average to .346 after an 0-for-7 start.
DeVries lowered her season ERA to 2.45 with her nice performance in the circle.
The Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow morning at the Diamond Devil Invite, as they face Virginia Tech (14-5) at 9:00 a.m. MT
