ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Thursday, March 12, 1998

BLUE JAYS FALL TO BLACKBURN, WESTMINSTER IN SEASON OPENERS AT SUN WEST TOURNAMENT

ORANGE, Ca. --- Blackburn (Ill.) scored six runs in the third inning to erase a 6-4 deficit and defeat Elizabethtown, 11-6, in the Blue Jays 1998 opener at the Sun West tournament at Chapman (Ca.) University.

Etown also dropped a 10-9 nailbiter to Westminster (Mo.) later in the day to open its season at 0-2.

In the opener, Melissa Gehrke went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI to lead the way for Blackburn (3-5). Wendy Wolff went the distance, shutting out the Jays in the final four innings and striking out three to earn her second win of the year.

Kristy Nowell went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs to pace Etown while teammate Vikki Detweiler also went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Erin Reynolds took the loss after allowing 11 hits in three innings.

In the nightcap, the Jays banged out nine hits, including doubles from Kristie Kulesa, Melissa Reinhart, Laurie Morris and Kristy Kordich, but the Etown defense committed four errors which led to five unearned Westminster runs. Kellie Spence went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored to lead the Blue Jay offense.

The Blue Jays finish up their western swing with games against Westminster and Kean on Friday afternoon. Game times are 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. EST, respectively. Etown opens its Northern schedule with a doubleheader at York College on Tuesday, March 17. Game time is 3 p.m.