PERRY PITCHES ONE HITTER AS LADY HAWKS SWEEP ROCKVILLE

Saturday, March 19 - Jessica Perry pitched a one hitter to lead the CSM softball team to a 7-2 win in the first game of a doubleheader against Rockville.  The Hawk bats jumped to life in the second game, as the Hawks pounded the Knights 18-2 to sweep the doubleheader.

    In the first game, Jessica Perry (1-1), kept the Rockville hitters off balance all day, as she struck out eight batters along with allowing only one hit.  The only two Rockville runs were unearned, as two errors and a fielder's choice accounted for the Knights only runs of the game. 

    "It feels great to pitch a one hitter, especially to do it at the college level" said Perry.  "I felt looser on the mound with the warmer weather, and just bore down to get the batters out."

    Perry did struggle with her control somewhat, walking four and throwing two wild pitches, but she pitched out of trouble in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th innings with runners in scoring position without allowing a run.

    CSM (2-2, 2-0) broke in front in the bottom of the first inning.  Jamie Buckler singled, stole second base, moved to third on a fielder's choice, and scored on a past ball to put the Hawks up 1-0.

    The Hawks added to their lead in the bottom of the third.  With two outs and no one on, CSM was able to score four runs to take a 5-0 lead.  Jessica Balta reached first on an error by the centerfielder, and moved to second on Ashley's Cook's walk, putting runners on first and second with two outs.  Megan Starr singled, knocking in one run, and putting the Hawks up 2-0.  Dwan Leigh reached on an error by the third baseman, loading the bases.  Jessica Perry walked with the bases loaded, scoring Cook for a 3-0 CSM lead.  Candace Wyant singled to drive in the final two runs of the inning.

    CSM scored another run in the 4th, when Jessica Perry walked again with the bases loaded to put the Hawks up 6-0.  Perry walked three times and singled once in the game.

    After Rockville cut the lead to 6-2, the Hawks added an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th, when Dawn Leigh singled, driving in Ashley Cook, who had reached on a fielder's choice, and moved to second on a wild pitch. 

    In the second game, with CSM batting first this time, the Hawks put the game away early, scoring nine runs in the first, and six in the second on the way to a 18-2 win. 

    Ashley Cook had 3 RBI's, Jamie Buckler and Dawn Leigh each had two, and Jessica Balta, Megan Starr, and Tina Ditiami each added one RBI. 

    Rockville (0-2) didn't help their cause, committing eight errors. 

    Jessica Balta picked up her first win of the year, to even her record at 1-1.  She sailed through the first three innings without giving up a hit, before allowing the Knights to score two runs in the fourth.  Balta had three strike-outs, and walked two batters.

    CSM will continue their homestand on Tuesday, March 22 when they host Catonsville in a 2:00 PM doubleheader.