Albright shines in MSU win

By Randall Jett
Register-Herald Sports Writer

April 19, 2008 12:02 am

— Mountain State University used a five-run third inning to take the first game of a doubleheader, 7-3, over conference foe Indiana University Southeast Friday at Warren Williams Stadium in Beckley.
“We have hit consistent against (Indiana University Southeast),” MSU coach Tim Berry said. “They are, besides us, one of the better teams in the conference along with Brescia University. This was a good win for us.”
Down 2-1, the Cougars got things started in the third when Jennifer Sloan reached on an error and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Lauren Howell worked Grenadier hurler Brittany Bennett for a base-on-balls and then made the turn at first base and stole second.
With runners on third and second, the Cougars’ Anna Kincaid laid a bunt down the first base line. Sloan raced home to beat the tag and Kincaid reached first safely. After Kaylie Layman walked to load the bases, Sarah Rapp laced a single to left field to score Howell.
MSU’s Alex Albright cleared the bases with a stand-up double to left field that sent Bennett to the bench.
“We’ve done so well playing small-ball this year,” Berry said. “We’ve learned that we do better and score more runs by playing small-ball. You know, bunting and slapping. Each girl has learned and realizes that it’s important when she comes to bat and there’s a runner on bases — her job is to advance them, by whatever means. We don’t look for the home run. We look for contact hits and advance the runner station to station.”
Albright had two doubles on the day and four put-outs in center field.
“Alex is no secret to me,” Berry said. “I watched her play. When Alex’s head is in, her hands are good. She’s a dynamic player. That’s why she is in the middle of our order.”
After giving up a run in both the second and third innings, Cougars’ pitcher Sarah Rapp settled down. The fifth-year senior gave up just one run on four hits over the final four innings.
“Sarah is just a strong, strong pitcher,” Berry said. “She’s smart and she works very well with Sloan behind the plate.”
Sloan got the Cougars’ offense going each time she came up to bat. She scored three runs after reaching off a bunt single and two Grenadier errors.
“(Sloan) has such bat control,” Berry said. “Her speed helps her down the baseline. She is a threat in any game.”
Carmen Davis provided all the offense for Indiana University Southeast (19-9, 8-5 KIAC). The senior homered down the left field line in the second inning and doubled to center and later scored in the seventh.
The Cougars (17-12, 11-0 KIAC) face Brescia University at noon today at Warren Williams Stadium.

Mountain State 7, Indiana University SE 3
IU: 011 000 1 — 3 8 3
MSU: 105 100 x — 7 6 2
IU: Brittany Bennett, Brooke Martin (3) and Sam Hornung, MSU: Sarah Rapp and Jennifer Sloan. WP — Rapp. LP — Bennett. Hitting — IU: Carmen Davis 2-3 (hr, 2b, rbi, 2 runs), Shana Andres 2-4 (run), Tara Denzik 1-1 (rbi), MSU: Alex Albright 2-3 (2 2b, 3rbi), Sloan (3 runs), Lauren Howell 1-2 (2b, run, rbi), Anna Kincaid (run), Kaylie Layman (run), Rapp (run, rbi).
Records: IU: 19-9 (8-5 KIAC); MSU: 17-12 (11-0 KIAC).

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