By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Toni Paisley helped the seven East Carolina seniors go out in style.
The junior was brilliant all weekend, capping it off with a three-hit shutout in Sunday’s 5-0 win over Southern Miss. Paisley (24-9) fanned six and walked one in the gem.
The Pirates (34-16, 13-5 C-USA) swept the Golden Eagles (22-25, 6-15) to remain in first place in the Conference USA standings.
“Last year we were in the same position,” ECU coach Tracey Kee said. “We ended up finishing second. I think this group is sort of driven.”
The victory was especially nice for ECU’s seven seniors, who were honored prior to the game. Kee said the seniors — Jamesville’s Nicole Jordan, Vanessa Moreno, Kaui Tom, Christina Merrida, Charina Sumner, Cristen Aona and Marina Gusman-Brown — have been special to the Pirates.
“This is a special group,” Kee said. “Besides the fact that the numbers are large with seven of them, they have been impact players since day one. This has been a super class.”
Gusman-Brown and Jordan each drove in runs to help spark the offense.
Sumner and Merrida drew walks to start the bottom of the first. Tom’s sacrifice bunt moved the runners over. Sumner scooted home on a passed ball. Gusman-Brown’s single scored Merrida for a 2-0 lead.
Aona doubled and eventually scored on an error to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead in the second.
ECU tacked on two more runs in the third. Gusman-Brown singled and Moreno was hit by a pitch. Jordan’s groundout scored Gusman-Brown, while Moreno raced home on an error for a 5-0 advantage.
Gabby Luciani (10-10) suffered the loss.
Paisley earned Conference USA Pitcher-of-the-Week honors after another outstanding weekend. It was the sixth time she’s been honored this season, and the 14th time in her career.
The junior struck out 19, allowed just four hits and four walks in 14 innings of work.
Paisley has 79 career wins, which ranks fourth best in C-USA history.
Her 290 strikeouts this season ranks third highest in ECU history.
The Pirates (34-16) play the final games at the ECU Softball Field Thursday with a 5 p.m. doubleheader against Elon (33-17).
ECU closes out regular season play May 8-9 in Memphis. Kee is hoping the Pirates will be the top seed when the C-USA Tournament begins May 13 in Houston.
“We’ve been functioning with 13 players since we started conference,” Kee said. “These 13 individuals have come together as a team. That’s a credit to them. We’re really in a position to make something great happen.”