Softball - Oct. 6
Louisburg, N.C. - The Meredith College Softball team finished off their fall season in prime fashion, going undefeated in their three games at Louisburg College this weekend. After defeating Division II Chowan University and Pitt Community College in the first two contests of the day, the Avenging Angels took the night cap with a 5-4 win over tournament hosts Louisburg College.

The 2009-2010 Avenging Angels finished the day with an impressive 3-0 record to end their Division III day of competition, and thus completing their fall 2009 season.

Head Coach Robert Luckadoo was very impressed with the performance of his young squad.

‘I have been so impressed with how hard this group of young ladies has worked over the fall. We have 19 freshmen in our program this year. With this many young players, you never know how well those individuals will come together to play as a team. I was so proud of our teamwork today. It seemed that no matter which combination of players we had on the field, they played extremely well together as a team. I think that each and every member of our program left the field today, very happy with our performance as a team, super excited about all that we accomplished this fall, and looking forward to an awesome spring season for our Avenging Angel Softball program. I think we really have an opportunity to do something special this spring,’ said Luckadoo.

GAME #1 vs. Chowan University- Avenging Angels Won 6-5
Freshmen pitchers Guss Crist and Lauriel Lebeau combined efforts for the 6-5 win over the talented NCAA Division II Chowan University squad. Offensively, the Avenging Angels were lead by Sara Cranford who went 1-2 with two walks and a double off the left field fence, and Alex Warren who was 2 for 3 with a single, a triple a walk and a run scored. The team also had five stolen bases in the contest.

GAME #2 vs. Pitt Community- Avenging Angels Won 8-4
Pitt Community, fresh off their win versus NCAA Division I Elon, scored first in the top of the first; however, Meredith quickly answered with four runs in the second inning to take an early lead. Pitt scored three in the top of the third to tie the contest; however, the Avenging Angels again answered with a three run flurry of their own to take a 7-4 lead in the bottom of the inning, and then never looked back. Arielle Stout and Jessica Dzeskewicz combined for the victory. Freshman Dzeskewicz struck out five of the last nine batters in relief, and allowed no hits and no runs to shut down Pitt and seal the victory, in her collegiate debut.

The offensive output was widespread for the Angels with seven players getting hits. Freshman Brittany Tucker led the team with a 2 for 4 effort with two singles and two runs scored. Arielle Stout added a triple, while Kirstin Morris had a single and a stolen base.

GAME #3 vs. Louisburg College- Avenging Angels Won 5-4
Meredith completed the three game tournament sweep with victory in the night cap versus tournament hosts Louisburg College. The Avenging Angels took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning and quickly got the first out of the seventh. However, the Angels survived a bottom of the seventh comeback rally by the Hurricanes, who battled to score four runs with one out in the bottom of the seventh to bring the score to within one run with the bases loaded.

With the bases loaded with hurricane runners, the outfield in, and one out on the score board, Angel pitcher Lauriel Lebeau forced a shallow fly ball to right fielder Jessica Dzeskewicz who made the catch for the second out. Right Fielder Dzeskewicz then gunned down a tagging hurricane runner with a strike to catcher Laura Barrett at home plate who made the tag for the game ending third out in the seventh, sealing the victory for the Angels and allowing the team to finish undefeated in fall play.

Offensive leaders for the Angels were Kirstin Morris, Alex Warren, Sara Cranford, Jessica Dzeskewicz, Kayla Walker, and Tara Hajer who all contributed hits to the win. Pitchers Jessica Dzeskewicz, Andrea Jarman and Lauriel Lebeau combined efforts for the victory.

The Avenging Angels will open their spring season on February 5th at home with a double header against NCAA Division II Lees McRae.