Feb. 17, 2006

Box Score

Auburn, Ala. - Freshman Vanessa Williams allowed no earned runs in six inings of relief and Amber Nelsen laced a game-winning, RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning to guide Furman to a 5-4 victory over Lipscomb on the opening day of the War Eagle Softball Classic in Auburn, Ala.

After allowing three RBI singles in the top of the second to stake Lipscomb to a 3-0 lead, Furman answered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the fourth. Joni Lockridge opened the inning with an infield single and advanced to second on Stephanie Cushing's sacrifice bunt. Following a walk to Megan Jaudon, Nelsen singled to right-center to plate Lockridge. With two outs in the inning, Abby Robertson ripped a two-run double down the left field line to even the contest at 3-3.

Lipscomb started the eight inning with a runner on second as part of the international tiebreaker rule. A bunt moved Davidson to third and the Lady Bison took the lead on Jaudon's throwing error on a pickoff attempt.

Amber Kiser opened the bottom half of the eighth inning on second base and advanced to third on Lockridge's sacrifice bunt. With two out, Jaudon singled to right to tie the game at 4-4. Nelsen followed with a double to plate Jaudon from first to give Furman its second straight win.

Williams (1-1) surrendered just three hits and one unearned run while walking two batters and striking out three to pick up her first collegiate victory in the circle.

Nelsen went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI to pace the Lady Paladins' attack. Robertson added a double and two runs batted in.

Furman, 2-3 on the season, faces Mercer at 9:00 p.m. Friday night at the War Eagle Classic in Auburn, Ala.