Box Score

Salem, Va. — Back-to-back home runs from Lindsay Hosier and Shaina Briel broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the 7th inning and Brittany Peterson escaped a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh as Millersville held off West Virginia Wesleyan 6-3 on Friday night.

The Marauders (14-10) got to Wesleyan starter Patricia Moreno in the top of the first when Kelly Fitzgerald nailed a three-run homer that sent Bobcats' center fielder Lexi Rodgers through the temporary fence and put MU up 3-0.

Wesleyan (12-9) got one run back in the bottom of the second when Stephanie St. Peter took a Courtney Eckman offering out of the park. Eckman would recover nicely, however, shutting the Bobcats out for the next three innings. Moreno was just as impressive for Wesleyan, stifling Millersville's bats.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Wesleyan rallied. Lead-off hitter Trisha Thurston reached on an error, but Eckman recovered to retire the next two hitters. Eckman's good fortunes ran out soon thereafter as Desiree Sibera tied the game 3-3 with one swing of the bat.

Despite the Wesleyan rally, Millersville was not able to let its second game of the day, a game that started two hours later than regularly scheduled, slip through the cracks. Dana Bozzetto reached on an error and was moved to second by Ally Homa. Hosier came through with her heroics in the next at-bat, putting the Marauders ahead 5-3 with her first home run of the season. Briel quickly followed with her second of the season and the Black and Gold once again had built a 3-run lead.

Peterson came on to close out the game, but the Bobcats were able to load the bases with one out. The freshman showed tremendous poise under pressure, as she caught Katie Speaks looking and got Sibera to foul out to Fitzgerald to end the game and earn her first career save.

Courtney Eckman (6-3) was efficient once again, allowing three runs (one earned) over six innings and just five hits. The sophomore has allowed one earned run or less in six of her seven starts this season and has accomplished the feat in eight of her 10 total appearances in 2009. Eckman stuggled to a 4-11 record as a freshman, but has shown consistency in the circle in her second season and has already set a new career-high in wins.

Fitzgerald finished the night 2-for-3 with the home run and three RBIs, while Briel was 2-for-4 and scored twice. Friday night marked Millersville's first win in three tries against Wesleyan this season.

The Marauders are back in action Saturday morning at 11 when they take on Salem International at Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va. Millersville swept a pair of games with Salem International back on March 4, outscoring the Fighting Tigers by a combined score of 23-1. Live Stats will once again be available on Saturday.