Thursday, March 15, 2012
by Robert Audia

CLERMONT, Fla.—Ali Neace had her second brilliant pitching performance in as many games, throwing a one-hitter and striking out eight in leading the Alderson-Broaddus Lady Battlers to an 8-0 victory over Philadelphia University Thursday morning.

The game was the second consecutive shutout for Neace, who has allowed just one hit while striking out 16 batters in her last two appearances.

Jennifer Francis got the Lady Battlers (5-8) on the scoreboard first, hitting a leadoff solo home run in the top of the 2^nd to give A-B a 1-0 lead. They extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third when a Kharrisa Renoth sacrifice fly brought Adrienne Daniels home from third. Meanwhile, Neace held the Lady Rams (2-7) in check, striking out seven of the first nine batters she faced.

The score remained 2-0 through the fourth inning, but the Lady Battlers strung together four-consecutive hits in the top of the 5^th. After Kristi Kellogg hit a leadoff single, Daniels doubled to put runners on 2^nd and 3^rd, setting up a Renoth two-RBI double which pushed the lead to 4-0. Kat Powell followed up with a two-run homer, and Emily Pritt scored later in the inning on a passed ball, giving A-B a 7-0 lead through five innings.

A Kat Powell RBI-double made the Lady Battlers’ advantage 8-0, and Philadelphia failed to score in the bottom of the sixth, ending the game due to the mercy rule.

Neace (2-2) allowed her lone hit in the final frame, facing just 19 batters in the game. Kellogg and Powell each went 3-4 to lead the A-B offense, with Powell adding 3 RBI.

Nicole Triosi (2-3) took the loss on the mound for Philadelphia, allowing two runs on five hits in 2.2 innings of action. Stephanie Martin had the lone hit for the Lady Rams.

A-B faces Millersville later this afternoon at 3:00 PM.