Box Score SALEM, Va.- Freshman third baseman
Courtney Purtell drove in a career-high four runs and hit her second career home run on a 4-for-4 performance, but it wasn't quite enough as Wheeling Jesuit University managed to defeat the Concord University softball team, 6-5, in an elimination game at the 2014 Mountain East Conference Tournament contest Friday night.
With the loss, Concord ends its season at 31-22 on the season. The 31 wins are the most in a single-season in program history. Wheeling Jesuit improves to 17-33 with the victory.
The Cardinals jumped out to an early 4-2 lead through 3.5 innings before Purtell drove a two-run single that scored freshman outfielder
Lauren Lewis and sophomore pitcher
Allie Reid to make it a 4-4 game heading into the fourth inning.
Wheeling Jesuit was able to post one-run innings in the fourth and seventh to take a two-run edge at 6-4 over the Mountain Lions heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. However, Concord refused to quit as Lewis stroked a one-out double to left field in the seventh followed by a single by freshman
Carly DiVirgilio which placed CU runners on first and third with just one out.
Purtell proceeded to plate Lewis with her fourth hit of the game to make it a one-run contest at 6-5 with one out and two Mountain Lions on base. However, Wheeling Jesuit' Ali Smith managed to end the Concord rally by recording two consecutive outs to give the Cardinals a 6-5 victory over the Mountain Lions.
In addition to Purtell's career-best four hits, Morris, Lewis and DiVirgilio all had two hits with Morris also launching her 11
th home run of the season, a Concord single-season high.
Junior second baseman
Whitney Carrigan, freshman shortstop
Alayna Furr and junior center fielder
Jessica Seymour also chipped in one-hit performances in the loss.
Freshman pitcher
Sarah Herndon was the pitcher of record for Concord after starting the game and going four innings, allowing six hits, five runs (three earned) and striking out five batters. Reid came in for Herndon in the third inning and went on to give up just three hits and one run.
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