Chowan collects win #22

Published 4:55 pm Saturday, March 28, 2009

MURFREESBORO – Two plus four equals 22.

Well, not exactly. By two wins Thursday made it six straight for Chowan and pushed them to 22 wins on the 2009 campaign.

The double-headers sweep of Elizabeth City State helped the Hawks match last year’s win mark with another 14 contests left on the calendar.

“It feels really good to have 22 wins and still have 14 games left,” said freshman pitcher Allie Kolezynski, who tossed a two-hit gem for the Hawks in game two. “Our bats are hot, the defense is good and we know how to play with each other. Things are going well right now.”

Kolezynski surrendered just two hits and struck out eight in claiming her 11th win in her debut season with the Hawks. She said the two hits were a mistake, something she can’t afford.

“You can’t miss at this level, I’ve learned that,” she said, admitting the two hits were a sore subject. “Batters are definitely better. You better be on your toes and you better not miss.”

Meanwhile, the Hawks jumped on Elizabeth City State early, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding three more in the second.

In the first frame, Brooke Owen led off with a base on balls and stole second. She went to third when Kolezynski reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tricia Gorman. Kolezynski scored when Melissa Woodrum singled to center to make it 2-0.

In the second inning, Megan Bass had a one-out double and scored on a single by Alex Allen. Allen’s single was followed by base hits from Owen and Kolezynski. Gorman then reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Allen. Kolezynski was plated by a single from Woodrum that made it 5-0.

In the top of the third, Kolezynski continued to cruise, striking out two and inducing a groundout to keep the base paths empty.

Chowan, however, was not quiet in the bottom of the third as they sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs off four hits.

Mindy Byrd got things started with a free pass and then moved to second when Jenna Lassiter reached on an error. A bunt single by Bass loaded the bases with no one out.

Allen got aboard via fielder’s choice that scored Byrd before Brenna Thomas reached on an error that allowed both Lassiter and Bass to score. Allen came home on a single by Gorman and Thomas scored on a sacrifice fly by Woodrum as the Hawks built a 10-0 advantage.

ECSU got their only mark in the fourth frame when Oasis Ellison doubled to end Kolezysnki’s bid for a perfect game. She scored on a base hit moments later to make it 10-1.

Chowan wasn’t done, scoring one more run in their final at-bat to ensure the game would end early.

Byrd walked, went to second on a groundout and scored on a single by Allen that made it 11-1.

Woodrum was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs while Alex Allen had three hits and three RBIs. Bass was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.

“We’ve been talking about taking the field with a little swagger,” said second-year skipper Mandi Balduff. “I’m not talking about an arrogant swagger, but a confident one. I thought we did that today.

“We knew they were games we could win if we played the way we’re capable of and we did,” she added. “We’re playing well as a team right now. We’re getting on a roll at the right time.”

The Hawks are now 22-14 for the season. They will be off until March 31 when they host UNC-Pembroke in a double-header.