TSU softball wins first two at Reebok Invitational

Published 12:00 am Saturday, February 23, 2002

STATESBORO, Ga. – Freshman Ashley Floyd threw a no-hitter against Georgia Southern and Tamra Howren’s single in the seventh against Campbell propelled the Troy State softball team to two wins in the first day of the Georgia Southern Reebok Invitational.

The Lady Trojans (10-4) survived a double no-hitter against Georgia Southern, 1-0, in eight innings.

Floyd held the Eagles hitless while striking out two and walking two.

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It is the third no-hitter in Troy State’s history.

"Ashley pitched really well today," said Troy State head coach Melanie Davis.

"She had command of all of her pitches today and she gained confidence as the game went along. To pitch a no-hitter against a team like Georgia Southern means something."

Floyd improved to 4-1 on the year and has yet to allow an earned run this season.

Troy State scored its lone run in the eighth inning.

Erin Flater began the inning on second due to the international tiebreaker rule in extra innings.

The first two Lady Trojans couldn’t move her over, but a wild pitch by GSU’s Crystal Crews moved her over to third with two outs.

Lori Westberg’s ground ball went straight through the Georgia Southern’s shortstop Kelly Blazi’s legs allowing Flater to score with the go-ahead run.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Floyd uncorked a wild pitch, sending Chrissy Kiefer over to third.

Suzanne Pansulla flew out to left field, but freshman Jenny Boyd gunned down Kiefer at home to give TSU the 1-0 win.

"Jenny made a great play on that ball in left," Davis said.

"She has a strong arm and showed how accurate she could be with it on that throw.

It was a great way to end the game."

The Lady Trojans needed some more late-inning magic to hold Campbell in the first game, 2-1.

Howren’s single to left field drove Erica Cruzat, who led off the seventh with a single, to give the Lady Trojans the win.

Howren and Mindy Porep both went 2-for-4, with Howren driving in the winning run.

Tamra is swinging the bat really well right now, Davis said. She leads the team in RBIs and came through for us again today in a clutch situation.

Christi Curran got the win in relief, upping her record to 3-1 on the year.

She pitched three hitless innings of relief for starter Cassie Wilkenson.

Curran struck out four while not allowing a base runner.