Blue Raiders fall 3-2 to East Carolina

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Lindsey Vander Lugt had a fine performance on the mound but the Blue Raiders (0-4, 0-0) could not get it going offensively as they fell 3-2 in extra innings to host East Carolina (2-1, 0-0) at the ECU Invitational on Sunday afternoon.

Lindsey Vander Lugt (0-2) picked up the loss for the Blue Raiders, giving up one earned run on four hits. The junior struck out three and walked none in the complete game, eight inning effort.

Toni Paisley (2-0) made her second start of the invitational for the Pirates in the win. The righty two runs on four hits, while striking out nine in the complete game.

Vander Lugt was excellent the entire game, retiring the first eight batters before allowing a bunt to Sarah Bibee with two outs in the top of the third inning. The Pirates took advantage and Bibee scored on a throwing error by third baseman Martha Davis a batter later to make it 1-0.

Middle Tennessee used a home run in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead over the hosts. Brittney Banania started things off with a well-hit single bringing up Davis. The Senior, who led the team in long balls in 2008, smashed a 2-1 pitch over the fence in left field for her first home run of the season.

East Carolina used two hits to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning. Angel Barrella nailed a hard shot down the right field line for a stand-up triple before the next batter, Kaui Tom, smashed a line shot of her own down to make it 2-2.

The Blue Raiders saved two runs with a pair of fine defensive plays in the top of the 5th inning. With one out, MT shortstop Banania backhanded a grounder near third base and threw just in time to beat the batter to first base for the second out of the inning. Davis showed quick reaction time catching a liner for the final out of the inning.

It took until the eighth inning for either team to threaten again. The Pirates had Jillian Gallagher placed on second base as part of the "International Tie-breaker" rule and she was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tiffany Shaw. Bibee hit a deep sacrifice fly to put East Carolina up 3-2.

The Blue Raiders return to action on Tuesday, February 17 to host a doubleheader against Memphis. First pitch at Blue Raider Field is set for 2 p.m.

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