QUALITY WIN

LADY LIONS TOPPLE HIGHEST-RANKED OPPONENT EVER

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The Concord Softball program is measuring its progress one step at a time, as it distances itself from an 8-88 record over the prior three seasons, including last year's 1-32 mark.

The Lady Lions have taken several steps forward in 2010.
Like doubling last year's win total only four games into the season. Winning four of five games in their Spring Break trip to Florida last month. Snapping a 51-game conference losing streak with a dramatic win over Glenville State March 18th. Then, on Saturday, recording another milestone victory.

Concord's 5-1 win over Shepherd in the second game of their WVIAC doubleheader Saturday in Athens did more than give the Lady Lions a split with the Rams. Shepherd, ranked #6 in this week's Atlantic Region poll, became the first ranked team Concord has beaten in more than a decade, and the highest-ranked opponent CU has ever beaten.
The Rams won the first game, 2-0. 

GAME ONE 


Both team's number one starting pitchers lived up to their status. Concord's Tamara Smith and Shepherd's Tricia Buttera took turns keeping the opponent's lineup in check.
The Lady Lions had two early chances to score, but couldn't convert.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Kristen McClure led off with a double off the wall in straightaway center, but Buttera got Katie Billingslea to ground out to short, then Stephanie Harper lined into an inning-ending 3-6 double play.
In the 3rd, Mariel Wilson reached on a one-out error by Shepherd 1B Nichole Pitcock, but Alex Brown, attempting to sacrifice, bunted into a 3-4 double play.
The Rams broke through in the top of the 7th. With one out, and runners at first and third – with the benefit of Concord's only error of the game – Chelsie Oals lined a 1-2 pitch from Smith into the left field corner to bring in the game's only runs.
In the bottom of the 7th, Samantha Clement led off with a single. But Shepherd 2B Cammie Orlandi robbed the next hitter, Becca Gleason, of what looked to be a sure single, and Bettura got the next two hitters to close out the game.

CU's Smith allowed just four hits and one walk in seven innings, while striking out six. Both runs against her were unearned. Bettura was better, fanning nine while limiting the Lady Lions to only two hits and no walks. 

GAME ONE	R	H	E	LOB
Shepherd	2	4	1	2
Concord	0	2	1

GAME TWO

Concord (17-16, 5-9 WVIAC) jumped on Shepherd starter Nichole Pitcock for a “triple double” in the bottom of the 1st to ignite what proved to be the game's decisive rally.

Three consecutive doubles – by Clement, Gleason and Brooke Bowling – gave the Lady Lions a quick 2-0 lead.
McClure reached on an infield single, Billingslea hit another double to score Bowling, and a throwing error by Rams CF Amber Dudek allowed McClure to cross the plate. Pitcock got Harper to ground out to third, but SU coach Leslie Lopez removed her and brought Bettura back into the circle.

Emily Gallagher greeted Bettura with a single off the bag at first base that scored Billingslea and raised CU's lead to 5-0.

Bettura would allow only three hits the rest of the way. But the Lady Lions would have all the runs they'd need, thanks to an unflappable pitching performance by Bowling.

The freshman right hander scattered eight hits and worked out off three jams in a complete game victory.

The Rams (23-9, 9-5) reached her for their only run in the top of the 3rd, on a single by Bianca Biondello and an RBI double by Dudek, but Bowling prevented any further damage.
In the 5th, Shepherd got two on with two out, but Bowling got Dudek to ground out sharply to Clement at third.

The Rams also got two on with two out in the 6th, but Bowling induced Allie Brambeck to fly out to Gleason in center.

Of the eight hits Bowling allowed, seven were singles. She walked one and struck out one. Bettura worked 5 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out eight.

McClure paced the CU offense by going 2-3 with a double and run scored. Clement was 2-4 with a run, and Gallagher – pressed into service early in the game – reached base twice in three appearances and drove in a run, while turning in three solid defensive plays in support of Bowling. 

GAME TWO	R	H	E	LOB
Shepherd	1	8	0	5
Concord	5	9	2	8

Concord concludes its busy weekend with a doubleheader against defending WVIAC champion West Virginia Wesleyan on Sunday, April 11th. First pitch in Athens is scheduled for 2:00 pm EDT.

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