All in a day’s work

Ryan Schomber
By Staff Writer

If there were any questions about the Lady Bobcat pitching staff, the questions can stop.
The Lady Bobcats (15-5) won both games of the doubleheader, against Georgia Southwestern who could not hang with the Lady Bobcats in either of the games.
Georgia College & State University’s Cathy Chandler pitched the first ever perfect game in Lady Bobcat history. She struck out eight batters, allowing no runners to get on base during the entire game.
“It is very exciting to be a part of GC&SU’s history books,” said Chandler on her pitching performance. “It is like a dream.”
The Lady Bobcats played perfect defense behind Chandler for the 6-0 victory.
“I love this team offensively. When we play it is always a possibility that we are going to run somebody,” said Chandler. “It is a good feeling when you know your offense is going to put up 5 or 6 runs a game.”
The game was tied until GC&SU batted with in the bottom of the third inning. The Lady Bobcats scored three runs, led by Joni Frei’s triple to right-center field. Right fielder Mandi Jones went 1-3 with 2 RBI’s, while junior Kristin Hughes went 1-3 with an RBI to help lead the GC&SU offense. Michelle Mayne also added two hits for the Lady Bobcats as she helped GC&SU out.
Chandler was on fire the whole game, hitting all of her spots around the plate. Chandler was cool and calm the entire night, which made her seem even more in control of the game.
“This year the pitching is going to be great,” said Chandler. “It makes a big difference when we have four pitchers instead of just two.”
In game two it was Jennifer Joiner’s turn to get into the record books.
Joiner’s pitch was incredible; she struck out 14 batters,smashing the old school record of 12 set by Michelle Mayne and Jennifer McCarthy. Over her seven innings of work, Joiner scattered five hits, four of which never got out of the infield. She also did not walk a single batter in her overpowering performance.
“Jen pitched awesome,” said starting catcher Rebecca Heinicka.
In the first inning the Lady Bobcats were able to get on the board. Frei led the game off with a single, and after Nickie Black moved Frei to second on a ground out, Frei then stole third. Kristin Hughes then grounded out to the short shop, scoring Frei.
Joiner then struck out the side in the top of the second, as she look good early for GC&SU. After tallying eight strikeouts while just pitching three innings, Joiner grabbed the ball for what was another easy inning. She again managed to strike out three batters with a single in between.
“She hit her spots the whole night, which made it very difficult for the hitters to get comfortable,” said Heinicka.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Rebecca Schweitzer led off with a bomb over the right field wall. There was no doubt about it being a homerun, the right fielder didn’t even go after it.
GC&SU would add two more runs in the inning as Melanie Cannon was able to rip a 2-2 offering into the gap of right center field. Cannon finished the game1-3 with a RBI double.
For the Lady Hurricanes, Ashley Embrey (2-4) took the loss for her team after allowing four runs on four hits.
“Our defense played really good tonight,” said Heinicka. “The game was really fun with all the strikeouts Jen got.”
The Lady Bobcats are very hot. The team is on pace to beat last year’s record of 23-24. Look for the Lady Bobcats at West Complex for the rest of the semester.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 15 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry