Lady Pioneers split doubleheader on day two of Rebel Spring Games
Stephanie Houston throws one-hitter in victory over Franklin & Marshall (Pa.)

Mar. 12, 2006
OSCEOLA, Florida — The Marietta College softball team ended its second day of competition at the Rebel Spring Games with a tough 4-3 loss to St. Norbert (Wis.). The Green Knights scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to steal the victory and send Marietta to its first defeat of the season. Earlier in the day, The Pioneers (3-1) routed Franklin & Marshall (Pa.), 7-0, behind an outstanding pitching performance from senior Stephanie Houston.

In the first game of the afternoon, the Pioneers jumped out early against Franklin & Marshall (Pa.), scoring four runs in the first and three more in the second to cruise to a 7-0 victory. It was a pitching performance from Houston, however, that stole the spotlight. Houston, who was making her first start of the season, allowed just one hit, a two out single by Robyn Jones in the seventh. She finished with three walks and four strikeouts.

Sophomore Brandy Jacob got things going in the first inning with a leadoff single. Marietta’s second hitter, freshman Emily McComb, reached base on a fielder’s choice, as Jacob was forced out at second. McComb stole second and then junior Jenny Carroll beat out a ball to third base for a single. The throw went over the head of the first baseman, allowing McComb to score and Carroll to move to second base. Freshman Nikki Driscoll reached base on an error by the shortstop. Both Carroll and Driscoll scored when junior Lindsey Romick tripled to right field. Sophomore Nikki Veigel then walked and stole second to put runners on second and third. Marietta for one more run in the inning, when Houston helped her own cause with a RBI ground out to first.

It was again the top of the order in the second frame that did the damage for the Pioneers, as Jacob and McComb had back-to-back one-out singles and Driscoll drew a two-out walk. Romick then cleared the bases with a three-run double to put MC ahead 7-0.

Overall, Marietta pounded out 11 hits in the win and played errorless softball. Jacob finished 3-for-4, while McComb and Romick each had two hits apiece. Romick also added five RBI.

After a two-hour layoff, the Pioneers put their undefeated record on the line against St. Norbert.

Again, Marietta's bats got going from the start. Jacob and McComb opened with singles. Jacob, however, was thrown out trying to reach third on McComb's single to right. McComb was able to advance to second on the play. Carroll quickly drove her in with a double up the middle to give MC a 1-0 lead.

St. Norbert responded with two runs in its half of the first frame. Lindsey Reynolds' two-out, two-strike double to left field allowed a pair of her teammates to score and the Green Knights led 2-1 after the first inning.

Marietta regained the lead in the third inning. McComb and Carroll both singled and scored on sacrifice flies by Driscoll and Romick, respectively, to give the PIoneers a 3-2 advantage.

A two-out double by St. Norbert's Lauren Marciano tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. It remained that way until the seventh, when Sam Boushley delivered the game-winning single to left field off junior ace Kristen Quintana.

Quintana (1-1) suffered the loss, but pitched another solid game. She allowed four runs (three earned) on 10 hits, while striking out seven and walking four in 6 2/3 innings. Mara Resch picked up the win, throwing two scoreless innings of relief.

Marietta hitters clubbed out eight hits, but left eight runners on base. Carroll led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate, while McComb finished 2-for-4.

The Lady Pioneers will return to action Tuesday (Mar. 14) morning, when they take on Kean (N.J.) at 8:50 a.m. and then Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and 10:40 a.m.