Young pitching fuels Cougars in victory

A pair of freshmen lead Countryside past Northeast.

By ANTHONY SALVEGGI
Published May 6, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - A strong pitching effort by freshman Desiree Baker and a four-run third inning keyed Countryside's 7-2 victory over Northeast.

Vikings sophomore ace Dani Siebert held the Cougars scoreless through two innings before Countryside broke through in the third.

After hits by Baker and senior Alleigh Kidman put runners at first and third, junior Emilee Venable drove in both runners with a single between first and second. Venable later scored when shortstop Lindsay Mcgory threw a ball hit by sophomore Gionna DiSalvatore past first base.

After going to third on a passed ball, DiSalvatore added the inning's fourth run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield.

Baker held the Vikings scoreless through the five innings she pitched, allowing only three hits while striking out two.

Freshman Britney Oates came on in relief in the bottom of the sixth and set down all three batters, striking out the first two.

But things got more interesting in the seventh, as junior Mcgory reached first on a roller misplayed by third baseman Sarah Yates.

A hit over second base by junior Mikala Smith and a walk to junior Stephanie Davies loaded the bases with nobody out.

After an out by sophomore April Varner scored Mcgory, sophomore Alicia Dennis rapped a double down the third base line to drive in Smith.

But that's all the runs the Vikings would get, as Oates struck out freshman Stephanie Dennis and junior Haley Forsyth grounded out to end the game.

[Last modified May 6, 2005, 00:39:12]