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 Sophomore Katie Miller pitched a complete-game shutout in the Colonials' 8-0 victory against Bucknell on Saturday at the Colonial Classic. |
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Culp, Miller Help Softball Clinch Two Victories on Day One at Colonial Classic
March 4, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - The George Washington University softball team swept both its games at its home Colonial Classic Tournament on Saturday, defeating Colgate, 8-2, in the morning followed by an 8-0 shutout victory over Bucknell in its afternoon game at Mount Vernon Softball Field. Sophomore pitcher Gabby Culp (Desoto, TX) went the distance to earn the win against Colgate, while sophomore Katie Miller (Manteo, NC) shut down the Bison in game two as the Colonials improved to 6-2 on the season.
With the pair of victories, GW runs its current winning streak to four games, which is the longest in program history. Bucknell fell to 0-8 with the loss. Sophomore Jackie Yaniga (Miami, FL) continued her hot hitting as she posted four hits, including her first home run of the season, and six RBI on the day.
In the first game of the tournament against Colgate with the cold temperature and wind being a factor, GW trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the first but scored three times in the frame to take the lead for good and never trail. Junior Elana Meyers (Douglasville, GA) led off the inning with a double and later scored on a double by leftfielder Chrysanthi Halkiotis (Brookeville, MD). Following a single by Yaniga, Halkiotis scored on a double steal attempt and Yaniga was able to score two batters later on an error by third baseman Whitney Scott to make it 3-1.
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Clinging to a one-run lead at 3-2 heading into the fourth, GW posted five runs on the board to take a commanding 8-2 lead. The inning was highlighted by Yaniga's bases-clearing three-run double with two outs, while Miller and Meyers each had RBI singles.
Culp went 7.0 innings allowing just five hits and one earned run to improve to 2-0 on the year. She also struck out seven. Yaniga finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Meyers went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Halkiotis was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
In their afternoon game against Bucknell, the Colonials opened up the scoring in the second as junior Kaity Harbour (Macomb, MI) led off the inning with a single and later scored on a groundout from catcher Nikki Brooks (Chillicothe, OH). Miller, who had reached base on an error by centerfielder Damara Farkas, scored to make it 2-0 off a single from Meyers.
Yaniga homered to lead off the third for GW to make it 3-0 and a three-run blast off the bat of sophomore Caroline Howe (Los Alamitos, CA) capped the scoring at 8-0. The Colonials scored five times in the fourth highlighted by Howe's first home run of the season and a two-run single from Yaniga.
Miller got the start for GW and went 5.0 innings allowing just three hits with three strikouts. She improved to 2-0 on the season and lowered her team-leading ERA to 0.60. Yaniga went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored to lead GW offensively, while Howe finished 2-for-3 with three RBI. Second baseman Hilary King (Canal Winchester, OH) chipped in with two hits.
GW (6-2) returns to the field on Sunday, March 5, for day two of the Colonial Classic and will face Drexel at 11 a.m. By virtue of their two victories on Saturday, the Colonials have clinched a spot in the championship game on Sunday at 1 p.m. and will face either Colgate or Drexel.
