March 18, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Argonauts were unable to pull off a win against the Drury University Panthers, dropping the game 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The loss dropped the UWF record to 21-11 on the season. Taren Walton got the start and was credited with the loss, dropping her record to 7-4 this season.
The bottom of the fourth inning started the scoring when Drury University got on with a leadoff double and later scored on a single. West Florida delivered their reaction through first basemen Julie Carroll in the top of the fifth. Carroll drew a walk to start the inning, and pinch hitter Whitney Gay drew a walk to put runners on base for Caurie Miller. Milller drew the third walk of the inning, scoring Julie Carroll on the passed ball. An attempt by Heather Bell, running for Gay, to advance to third on the passed ball turned into an out at third to end the inning.
A run in the bottom of the fifth for Drury was matched by the Argos in the top of the sixth. Third basemen Nicky VanCamp produced a crucial leadoff hit with a double to the right center fence. Designated player Jillian LaFrance stepped in and reached with an error on the shortstop, which scored VanCamp to tie the score.
A failed UWF threat in the top of the seventh inning allowed Drury one more chance to pick up the win. Third basemen Stephanie Ray led off with a hard hit single to the right side but was thrown out at second on a Mandy Schroeder bunt. The bases were loaded on two walks and Mandy Burnett came through for the Panthers with an RBI single to win the ball game.
The Argos only had four hits total on the day, picked up by Miller, VanCamp, Melissa Chastang, and pinch hitter Kristee Wheeler. Combined, pitchers Taren Walton and Jill LaFrance had four strikeouts, five walks, and gave up eight hits.
UWF continued Spring Fling play in the second game of the doubleheader against Drury University immediately following the first game.
