By Staff
RYAN ROCKWELL, Sports Writer
VANCEBORO -- Washington ace pitcher Jeri Bell seemed to have everything under control Tuesday, cruising through the West Craven lineup. However, a two-run sixth-inning rally gave the Eagles a 3-2 victory over the Pam Pack.
Bell had not given up a hit since the first inning, when an error by the Pack's left fielder cost the team a run. Ashley Weeks got all the way to third on the miscue, setting up an RBI single by Ashley Fulcher.
Bell pitched flawlessly over the next four innings, walking just one batter and striking out six. The golden-armed junior struck out nine Eagles, allowing just four hits and only one earned run.
The Eagles (1-3, 1-0) came alive in the sixth, as the top of the order broke up Bell's one-hitter. Katie Van Voorhees singled into center to lead things off before Weeks and Fulcher singled to right, loading the bases with no outs. Washington minimized the damage, as second baseman Kayla Grim got a tag-them-out, throw-them-out double play, but Van Voorhees scored from third.
With two outs, Bell looked to get out of the jam with the game tied at two. However, a passed ball scored Weeks from third and ruined the game for Washington.
The Pam Pack got Grim in scoring position with just one out, but Bell grounded to the pitcher, who threw to third for the tag-out. Meredith Whitehead got her third hit of the game with two outs, a single to left, but Van Voorhees got the next batter, Ashley Gladsen, to ground out and end the Pam Pack threat.
West Craven pitcher Katie Van Voorhees was less dominating on the mound, but did not allow an earned run. Van Voorhees pitched all seven innings, striking out one batter, while walking two.
The Pam Pack consistently got runners aboard and failed to get them home. Washington had nine hits, including a 3-for-4 performance by Whitehead, but did not get a single run batted in and left 10 runners on base.
Washington's two runs came in the top of the second on an error. Gladsen singled to lead things off and then, with two outs, Meredith Knox singled into left-center. A wild pitch by Van Voorhees moved both runners into scoring position, before a fielding error by Fulcher allowed both of them to score.
Pam Pack senior Samantha Elks missed the game with a medical condition, and her absence may have affected the team's performance, said Matta. Washington (2-3, 0-1), which visits Williamston on Thursday, is currently ranked No. 6 in the class 3A iHigh.com/N.C. Coaches poll.
Washington 020 000 0 -- 2 9 1
West Craven 100 002 x -- 3 4 1
WP: Katie Van Voorhees; LP: Jeri Bell.
W -- Kayla Grim 1-2, Jamie Lilley 1-4, Jeri Bell 1-4, Meredith Whitehead 3-4, Ashley Gladsen 1-4, Mary Beth Hardison 1-3, Meredith Knox 1-3; WC -- Katie Van Voorhees 1-3, Ashley Weeks 1-3, Ashley Fulcher 2-3 (RBI).