Merriman's Ninth Inning Singles Elimnated Highs From Big South Championships

Birmingham, Ala. --Lindsey Merriman provided the heroics for Winthrop again, blooping a game-winning RBI single with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Eagles a 4-3 win over Radford in game seven of the Big South Softball Championships. It was Merriman’s second extra inning game-winner of the Tournament. She homered in the bottom of the eight in Winthrop’s opening game against Charleston Southern.

The win by the Eagles (40-23-1) keeps their Tournament alive and will play their second elimination game at 5 p.m. against the winner of the Birmingham-Southern vs. Charleston Southern contest. The Highlanders were eliminated from the tournament and finish the season, 31-32.

In the ninth, Winthrop loaded the bases on a walk and a fielder’s choice grounder when Radford failed to tag the base on a force out at third. Merriman stepped up and poked a single just out of the reach of the diving centerfielder.

Winthrop struck for three runs in the bottom of the third, courtesy of one hit and two Radford errors. Janiva Willis drove in the first run with a one-out RBI single through the left side. Katie Kipisz’s ground ball to third knocked in Caryn Little from third and when the throw was dropped Willis scooted home with the third run.

The Highlanders, with the help of three hits and two Winthrop errors, tied the game in the top of sixth. With one out and runners on second and third, Sara Beth Clayton plated both runners with single to left and went to third on a throwing error by the leftfielder. She would score the tying run when she beat throw home on a grounder to shortstop.

Kelli Johnson (22-9) earned the win for the Eagles allowing three runs on four hits, striking out six and not walking a batter. Breanna Felix (11-10) suffered the loss, allowing just one earned run on three hits. She struck out three and walked three.

Along with Merriman, Willis and Laura Hill singled for the Eagles. Lara Wohlgemuth, Lindsey Woody, Hallie East and Clayton all singled for the Highlanders.

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