Davis, Cynthia Burroughs shut down Princeton offense

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 2, 2008 2:01 AM

• Print
• Email

Traci Davis looked like her old self Saturday afternoon.

The senior right-hander mixed speeds, constantly found the corners and kept Princeton's batters baffled for four-plus innings. Bullpen mate Cynthia Burroughs did much the same for two-plus innings, and Wayne Christian's softball team rolled to an 8-0 decision on its home diamond.

"That was the old Traci," said Wayne Christian coach Roger Longwell. "Today, she was really hitting her spots ... placing the ball well."

Davis logged seven strikeouts and allowed just four base runners. Sarah McCullom's first-inning double play erased one runner. The other three remained stranded as Davis (2-0) squirmed out of trouble each time with an inning-ending strikeout.

Princeton (1-1 overall) left six runners aboard, including five in scoring position. Two runners reached third base with less than two outs.

"Not enough practice," said Dawgs coach Terry Braswell. "We were down for some reason today. I don't know (why). We got some base runners, but couldn't move them around.

"We didn't play good in the field or at the plate."

Wayne Christian, the reigning N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A champion, collected the lone run it needed in the first inning. Kayla Kennedy doubled to left center and moved into scoring position on Regan Hinton's sacrifice bunt.

Hinton trotted home on Burroughs' single up the middle.

"Offensively, they came out aggressively and put the bat on the ball," said Longwell. "That pleased me a lot."

The Eagles (2-0) tallied the first of seven unearned runs in the third inning. Three Bulldog errors, a wild pitch and three hits parlayed into a six-run, sixth-inning outburst for Wayne Christian.

McCullom and Kayla Kennedy combined for two RBI, and cranked out two hits apiece for the Eagles. Davis, Burroughs and Albritton each contributed one hit and an RBI.

Losing pitcher April Keene doubled for Princeton, which was held hitless after the fourth inning. Burroughs retired six of the nine batters she faced by strikeout after replacing Davis in the fourth.

Wayne Christian opens Carolina Christian 1-A Conference play at home March 8 against Durham Cresset Christian. Princeton entertains Johnston County foe Clayton at 4:30 p.m. Monday.