SSAC News
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 - [Softball]
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Through the first 53 games of the Lee University
softball season, Freshman third baseman Jenevieve Cena had one home run.
In the past three games, she has belted four of them.
Cena blasted a pair of homers on Thursday morning, driving in five runs in leading the Lady Flames (52-4) to a 10-0 victory over Southern Wesleyan University (9-41) in the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament's opening game.The Lee offense came to life in the bottom of the second inning after the teams had traded zeros in the first. Caitlin Haley and Lindsay Shein each doubled and scored in the frame for Lee, as the Lady Flames forced Southern Wesleyan into an early pitching change. Casey Johnson, who had been the Lady Warriors second baseman, traded defensive position with starting hurler Candace Graves with one out in the inning to put out the Lee rally.
The relief, however, was short-lived as Cena blasted the first of her two long balls in the bottom of the third inning as part of a four run frame. All four runs were unearned, thanks to a pair of Southern Wesleyan errors, one of which extended an at bat for Hernanza Ruiz, who doubled later in the sequence.
The Lady Warriors held Lee off the board in the fourth, but in the fifth, Krista Goodlet drew a leadoff walk and Haley singled sharply to left, bringing up Cena for the third time in the game. Cena took the 1-0 pitch deep to center for a tee-run walk-off homer, as Lee claimed the run-rule victory 10-0.
Brittany Balough (15-2) threw the first three innings for the Lady Flames, allowing just one hit and one walk in earning the victory. Balough struck out four in the game before giving way to Sara Mitchell who whiffed three hitters in two innings of work. Graves (4-19), who re-entered the circle for Southern Wesleyan in the fifth, took the loss, giving up six runs in two and a third innings of work. Johnson wirked an inning and two-thirds, giving up four unearned runs on three hits for Southern Wesleyan as well.
The Lady Flames move on to play at 6:00 Thursday afternoon, while Southern Wesleyan will hit the field again on Friday morning. The winner of the game between Auburn-Montgomery and Faulkner will take on the Lady Flames, while the loser will face elimination against the Lady Warriors.
Cena blasted a pair of homers on Thursday morning, driving in five runs in leading the Lady Flames (52-4) to a 10-0 victory over Southern Wesleyan University (9-41) in the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament's opening game.The Lee offense came to life in the bottom of the second inning after the teams had traded zeros in the first. Caitlin Haley and Lindsay Shein each doubled and scored in the frame for Lee, as the Lady Flames forced Southern Wesleyan into an early pitching change. Casey Johnson, who had been the Lady Warriors second baseman, traded defensive position with starting hurler Candace Graves with one out in the inning to put out the Lee rally.
The relief, however, was short-lived as Cena blasted the first of her two long balls in the bottom of the third inning as part of a four run frame. All four runs were unearned, thanks to a pair of Southern Wesleyan errors, one of which extended an at bat for Hernanza Ruiz, who doubled later in the sequence.
The Lady Warriors held Lee off the board in the fourth, but in the fifth, Krista Goodlet drew a leadoff walk and Haley singled sharply to left, bringing up Cena for the third time in the game. Cena took the 1-0 pitch deep to center for a tee-run walk-off homer, as Lee claimed the run-rule victory 10-0.
Brittany Balough (15-2) threw the first three innings for the Lady Flames, allowing just one hit and one walk in earning the victory. Balough struck out four in the game before giving way to Sara Mitchell who whiffed three hitters in two innings of work. Graves (4-19), who re-entered the circle for Southern Wesleyan in the fifth, took the loss, giving up six runs in two and a third innings of work. Johnson wirked an inning and two-thirds, giving up four unearned runs on three hits for Southern Wesleyan as well.
The Lady Flames move on to play at 6:00 Thursday afternoon, while Southern Wesleyan will hit the field again on Friday morning. The winner of the game between Auburn-Montgomery and Faulkner will take on the Lady Flames, while the loser will face elimination against the Lady Warriors.
