Freshman Courtney Jenkins picked up two wins and sophomore Rhea Holler came up with a huge hit when needed to help the Bucs’ softball team take both games in a doubleheader against Furman.
Jenkins pitched seven scoreless innings in game one of the doubleheader to lead the Bucs to a 5-0 win over the Furman Paladins.
She then came on in the seventh inning, replacing starter Tiffany Vandergriff, of game two in a 4-4 tie, giving up no runs and picking up the win after Holler’s game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh.
With the game tied at four, senior Melanie Collins reached base on an error by Furman’s shortstop Jo Dee Eichelberger. Senior April Arnold came in to pinch run for Collins and advanced to second base on a fielder’s choice groundout by Sheryl Clark, bringing up Holler.
Holler then nailed a single to right-center field, scoring Arnold from second base to give ETSU a sweep of the doubleheader.
“They (ETSU) came out and played 14 incredible innings,” said head coach Stephanie DeFeo. “They played incredible defense, they played tight and had clutch hits when we needed them.”
Holding a 4-0 lead going into the top of the sixth inning, questionable call at first base as the Paladin’s Kate Morrison reached on a bunt, started a rally for Furman.
The Paladin’s Jessica Matthews doubled off the left field wall, scoring Morrison for Furman’s first run of the second game. Furman’s Jessica Griffin then singled up the middle to bring in Matthews to make the score 4-2.
Furman was not done there as Melissa Hutton singled to left field, bringing in another run for the Paladins and Hutton then scored on a passed ball by Vandergriff to tie the game at four.
DeFeo, however, was not concerned about her pitcher and let Vandergriff finish out the inning.
“I wasn’t concerned about her at all,” she said. “She is a tough competitor and did a fine job. There were some bad calls, but they still hung in there.”
Holler provided much of the offensive spark in game two, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Freshman Danielle Spetar also had a good day, going 1-for-3, scoring two runs.
Freshman Mary Beth Hazelwood also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3.
Vandergriff pitched six innings for the Bucs, striking out two, giving up six hits and only two earned runs with no walks.
In game one the Bucs jumped out to the lead early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Vandergriff got things started with a single as ETSU would load the bases. Vandergriff scored on a groundout by Clark.
Danielle Spetar then scored as Hazelwood reached on a fielder’s choice.
Then with two outs in the inning, Lindsay Lane singled to score Melanie Collins, who singled early in the inning, and Rhea Holler, who reached base on a fielder’s choice.
ETSU then scored its final run of the first game as Hazelwood walked to start the inning and Julia Chance singled to right field to bring her home.
The Bucs improved their record to 18-24 and 6-8 in SoCon play, but DeFeo still has high expectations for her team, which is only in its second year of existence as an athletic program at ETSU.
“I expected us to be a better team than this,” she said. “To me it’s a cop out (to use being a second year program as an excuse). We work very had and I put a lot of pressure on them, which they handle well.”
DeFeo said one of the goals for her team this season was 30 wins, which she believes is still attainable.
“We wanted 30 wins, .500 is something to shoot for, but I believe we can still get 30 wins, but the most important thing is the conference tournament.”
The Buccaneer softball team will next play at Georgia State on Wednesday before returning home to face UNC-Wilmington on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m.

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