By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Some timely hitting and another stellar pitching performance by Charity Watson lifted the Washington Pam Pack into sole possession of first place in the Coastal Conference standings.
Watson fired a one-hit gem, striking out 15 in the process, and the Pack put together two-run performances in the sixth and seventh innings to take a 4-2 win over D.H. Conley on a chilly Thursday evening. The Pack (9-0, 6-0) moved one game ahead of the Vikings (10-2, 5-1) in the Coastal Conference. South Central is 4-1 in conference play.
Both teams had scoring chances early. Each team got a runner to third in the third inning, but came up empty.
Washington broke through in the sixth against Conley starter Suzanne Riggs. The hard-throwing pitcher allowed the four runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out four and walking two.
Samantha Mobley led off the sixth with a drag bunt single off Riggs.
Meredith Duke moved Mobley to second. Taylor Rogers then reached after hitting a squibber over Riggs, putting runners at the corners. Rogers took second to get two runners in scoring position.
Marissa Fucito followed by lacing a liner off the glove of Riggs. Fucito was able to beat the throw to first, which allowed Mobley to score. Rogers raced home on a throwing error to make it 2-0.
The Pack added two more runs in the seventh.
Hayley Stowe drew a one-out walk to start the rally. Amber Alligood followed with a single into left, her second hit of the game. Davey Ann Burbage then reached on an error, which allowed Stowe to score. A suicide squeeze by Mobley plated Alligood to give Washington a 4-0 advantage.
The Vikings didn’t quit. Breanna Andrews was hit by a pitch with one out. Riggs then laced an RBI-double into left. Riggs later scored off a throwing error to make it 4-2. However, Watson struck out the next two batters to end the game.
Burbage started in leftfield for the Pack. She hurt her knee earlier in the season and Pake was worried that she’d lose Burbage for the season.
Washington returns to action April 17 at South Central. Pake, who is glad for some time off, was happy to see Burbage back on the field.
Washington 000 002 2 — 4 6 3
D.H. Conley 000 000 2 — 2 1 2
WP: Charity Watson; LP: Suzanne Riggs
Hitters: W — Amber Alligood 2-3, Samantha Mobley 1-3 (RBI), Marissa Fucito 1-3 (RBI), Taylor Rogers 1-2, Kayla Spain 1-3; DHC — Suzanne Riggs 1-3 (2B, RBI).