Softball -- Warriors dump West Craven

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on March 26, 2004 2:00 PM

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At the beginning of the season, Eastern Wayne softball coach Scott Waller said his team "had a 50-50 chance" of making the playoffs. After yesterday's 12-1 victory over visiting West Craven, the Lady Warriors appear to be right on Waller's schedule.

The Lady Warriors evened their record at 3-3 overall, and 2-2 in Eastern Carolina 3-A conference play with the victory over the lady Eagles.

"We started slowly, but we hung in there and finally got going," said Waller, who was unhappy with his team's four errors. "Against a stronger team, this would have really hurt us."

West Craven was not without their chances. They left at least one runner stranded in every inning.

"We seemed to always hit the ball right at someone that prevented us from getting more runners home," said coach Gay Hines.

The Lady Eagles (0-7, 0-4) were also distracted by the loss of third baseman Melissa Stox, who was in a serious automobile accident a week ago. In her honor, the team wore a wrist band with her number 7.

"Her injury is really bringing us together," added Hines.

Eastern Wayne got off to a 2-0 lead after three innings, largely through West Craven defensive lapses. Third baseman Ashley Mewborn singled with one out in the first, stole second, then came home complements of two passed balls.

Left fielder Deniz Alemdar followed a similar path in the third. She singled, went to second on a wild pitch, third on a passed ball, and home on a fielder's choice.

She had a perfect night at the plate, going two for two and scoring two runs.

The Lady Warriors batted around in the fourth. Singles by Emily Sasser, Berends and Angela Lane, along with walks to Jamie McKenna and Alemdar, made it 6-0.

The heavy lumber came out in the fifth. After a Sasser single, Kristen Elliott, subbing for the injured Ashley Smith at first, blasted a shot over left fielder Shanna Hill's head for a home run. Center fielder Jasmine Lee closed out the game with a three run homer to right field.

"We're a young team," said Waller, "and we're starting to jell. Lee is starting to hit. Alemdar is a great clutch hitter. I just want to keep winning."

Eastern Wayne's game tonight with Goldsboro has been canceled. The Lady Warriors' next game will be Tuesday at Southern Wayne.

West Craven's next game will be a home contest with West Cartaret Tuesday.

West Craven 000 01 -- 1 4 1

Eastern Wayne 101 46 -- 12 10 4

Leading hitters -- West Craven - Melanie Ross 2 hits, Lisa Witt 1 hit, 1 RBI. Eastern Wayne -- Emily Sasser 2 hits, Angela Lane 2 hits, Deniz Alemdar 2 hits. Jasmine Lee HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, Kristen Elliott HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, Alemdar 2 RBI, 1 R.

IP H R ER BB SO

West Craven

Stevenson (L, 0-3) 4 5 6 2 4 0

Heath 1Ú3 5 6 6 0 0

Eastern Wayne

Narron (W, 3-2) 5 4 1 1 0 2