Peace Sweeps Sweet Briar in Home Opener

Raleigh, NC--The Pacers swept the Vixens of Sweet Briar College at home Sunday at Wachovia Athletic Park in front of a cold 135 fans (4-1 and 10-2).

First-year 3B Courtney Long (Nakina, NC/S Columbus) doubled in the first and was scored off a double by senior 1B Holly Braswell (Raleigh, NC/Garner). First-year catcher Morgan Weathington (Raleigh, NC/Cape Fear) singled in the second scoring first-year LF Kasie Moore (Clayton, NC/Clayton) who reached 2B on an error. Moore advanced to 3B on a ground out by senior Kenni Seagroves (Apex, NC/Apex). Weathington doubled in the fifth and was scored by first-year SS Jessica Hogan (Denton, NC/SW Randolph) who reached first on an error. Junior transfer Tiffany DeLeone (Clinton, NC/Louisburg College) singled in the sixth scoring first-year pinch runner Megan Massengill who advanced to second on a walk. To finish up the game, first-year pitcher Haley Suitt (Creedmoor, NC/S Granville) struck out batter one and senior 2B Joanie Blevins (Thurmond, NC/E Wilkes) made two plays to put away the Vixens for good. Junior transfer pitcher Stephanie Monette earned a win for the game with Suitt a save pitching the final 2 innings.

The Pacers finished off the Vixens in game 2 with a mercy rule ending in the bottom of the fifth. The big inning occurred in the third when Peace recorded 5 hits and 5 runs. Moore started off with a single-run homer over the center field fence followed by a single by sophomore pitcher Ashley Stansbury (Rougemont, NC/N Durham). Her pinch runner first-year Monica Champagne stole second to move into scoring position. First-year outfielder Breanne Hinnant (Manteo, NC/Manteo) reached first on an error and sophomore catcher Kristyn Trogdon (Asheboro, NC/SW Randolph) singled and moved the runners to load the bases. Long tripled scoring 3 RBIs on the play and eventually scored on a pitcher error while Hogan was at bat. Stansbury picked up her first win of the year.

The Pacers travel next to Virginia Beach, VA to participate in the Atlantic East "Beach Blast" Challenge Friday, February 29 and Saturday, March 1. Peace will face Keystone College and nationally ranked Lynchburg College Friday and Bates College (ME) and VA Wesleyan Sunday. The Pacers will stay in Virginia Sunday to play a double header against the Giants of Keystone College at Captains Park on the campus of Christopher Newport University. See you on the sidelines!