WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2009) – Several first-year players made an immediate impact as the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania softball team delivered a punishing payback. Recording their first victories in school history, Lincoln, a second-year NCAA program, swept Gallaudet University in a doubleheader, 9-6 and 23-11, Wednesday afternoon. (GAME 1 BOXSCORE) (GAME 2 BOXSCORE)
Freshman Charisse Colston (Oakwood Village, OH/Bedford) hit for the cycle in the second game. Senior Sharell McMillan (Levittown, PA/Harry S. Truman) had five hits over the two games. Freshman Britny Adams delivered a two-run double in the sixth inning of the opening game that gave Lincoln the lead for good, 7-5. Freshman pitcher Taylor Hines (Beachwood, OH/Beachwood) stood tall on the mound by earning both of the complete game victories for the Lady Lions (2-0 overall).
During the second game, Colston singled in the first inning, homered in the second, doubled in the third, tripled in the fourth and doubled in the fifth inning. In addition, Colston scored five runs, drove in three runs and stole three bases. One of McMillan's hits was a mammoth two-run homerun belted to centerfield that traveled over 235 feet, which landed on the adjacent baseball field.
“When the ball left Sharell's bat, you knew it was going over the fence,” Cummings said. “Sharell has really absorbed the game and she has become an integral part of our lineup. That was exciting to see Charisse hit for the cycle. I think she's going to be an exciting player and I believe you are going to see a lot out of her. I am glad she is on our roster.”
The Lady Lion veterans also made some key contributions to the victory. Senior shortstop Tanina Cook (Landover, MD/Charles Herbert Flowers) reached base three times, had two hits and scored three runs in the second game. Sophomore first baseman Jasmine Baxter (Washington, D.C./McKinnley Tech HS) doubled and homered in the opening game. Sophomore leftfielder DeJuana Mosley (Chester, PA/Chester) scored four runs in the second game to help Lincoln set a single-game record for runs scored.
“The team gets along very well,” Lincoln coach Chris Cummings said. “The older players and walk-ons are taking there cue from the girls who are into softball and it's makes everybody want to do better and believe that we can be a better program.”
This was about revenge. Pure and simple. Gallaudet pounded Lincoln, 23-1 and 26-4 last year.
Lincoln scored 25 runs last season. In one fun-filled afternoon, the Lady Lions crossed the plate 32 times. Lincoln overcame a 5-2 Gallaudet deficit in the opening game. Last season if Lincoln trailed, it usually stayed down. Not this season. The Lady Lions relied on each other and methodically got back into the game by chipping away at their deficit.
Senior second baseman Capri Burnett (Philadephia, PA./Roxoborough) led off the top of the fourth with a single and scored. Baxter's two-run blast tied the game in the fifth. Lincoln took control in the sixth inning when McMillan and Cook led off with singles. They scored on Adams' double to rightfield. All Adams was trying to do was advance the runners. She did that and a whole lot more. After stealing third base, Adams scored on Colston's sacrifice fly.
“That was an important hit,” Cummings said of Adams' double. “We really needed Britny to advance the runner because we had one of our bigger hits up after Britny and we were trying to get a rally going and get the momentum back. Once the ball dropped, the girls on the bases were aggressive and never let up until they scored. Even when we were down during the game, the ladies believed that we could win whereas last year when we got down things unraveled.”
The Lady Lions immediately took control of the second game by scoring seven two-out runs in the top of the first inning. During the first inning, Lincoln patiently waited out five walks as eight consecutive batters reached base. McMillan finished the inning by delivering a two-run double that plated rightfielder Melissa Carr (Hudson, NY/Redemption Christian Academy) and Mosley. Even though Gallaudet scored seven runs in the third inning, Lincoln was not going to be denied.
“As each run scored in the first inning, you could see the excitement build on the faces of the ladies,” Cummings said. “I see a different attitude with my ladies this season. They believe we can compete with these teams. The girls are much more confident now.”
MORE COVERAGE OF THIS HISTORIC OCCASION WILL BE AVALAIBLE LATER.
--LU--
