By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Assistant Sports Editor
One-hit wonders may be popular on the VH1 music network, but it does nothing for the Washington Pam Pack softball team.
The Pack managed just one hit in a 5-0 non-conference loss to Manteo on Wednesday, spoiling another solid outing by Jeri Bell. Washington has mustered just one hit in two losses, getting no-hit by J.H. Rose in the season opener.
The Redskins got the only runs they would need in the first inning against Washington (1-2). Manteo added three insurance runs in the seventh, taking advantage of two errors by the Pack.
Meanwhile, baserunners were few and far between for Washington. Jessica Joyner drew a one-out walk in the first inning. Manteo's Katie Miller then retired the next 15 batters she faced.
Freshman Meredith Knox ended the streak, and Miller's no-hit bid, with a sharply hit ball that glanced off Manteo third baseman Lauren Craddock.
Washington's only other baserunner came in the seventh when senior Meredith Whitehead drew a two-out walk.
Miller helped her own cause by lacing a double to left in the first inning. Mandy Stanley followed with a blast of her own to left, as the ball went all the way to the fence. Stanley raced around the bases for a home run, giving the Redskins a 2-0 lead.
Bell, who allowed two earned runs on seven hits, struck out eight and walked two. She worked out of a couple of jams, including a bases-loaded situation in the fourth.
With the bases juiced and only one out, Bell struck out Kelsey Midgett. She then got Megan Creet to line out to Elks at second base to end the inning.
Manteo got a runner to second in the fifth, but she would be left stranded there when Elks caught a pop fly for the third out. The Redskins then got two aboard in the sixth, but Bell fanned Creet to end the threat.
A pair of errors helped Manteo load the bases with nobody out in the seventh. Washington shortstop Jessica Joyner fielded a sharp grounder by Miller and forced the lead runner out at home. Stanley then flew out to Joyner for the second out. But Craddock ripped a double to left-center to clear the bases, making it 5-0.
Though she hasn't been backed by much offense, except for a 10-0 win against Edenton, Bell said she doesn't feel any extra pressure on the mound.
The Pack, looking to get some revenge when they visit Manteo on Friday, have set some lofty goals for the season.
A few more hits would make for much sweeter music for the Pack.
Manteo 200 000 3 -- 5 7 0
Washington 000 000 0 -- 0 1 4
WP: Katie Miller; LP: Jeri Bell
M -- Katie Miller 2-4 (2B), Lauren Craddock 1-3 (2B, 3 RBI), Mandy Stanley 1-4 (HR, 2 RBI); W -- Meredith Knox 1-2.