Contributed
(March 19, 2010)

Freshman Melissa McClure needed just 57 pitches to toss the first perfect game in her collegiate career and lead the Huntingdon softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Rust College on Thursday at the Huntingdon Softball Field.

The Hawks (6-12) took game one of the twin bill 16-0, while capturing game two by a score of 10-1.

McClure threw 44 strikes, compared to just 13 balls in the perfect game, while striking out eight to improve to 3-4 on the season.

In addition to getting it done on the mound, McClure also added two runs batted in on an inside-the-park home run. Fellow freshman Brittney Calma and senior Meagan Jackson each also added two RBIs. McClure and fellow freshman Chasity Ward each also stole three bases in the opener.

In game two, freshman Sarah Solomon evened her season record with a two-hit, complete-game effort. Solomon walked just one and struck out six to pick up her first collegiate victory.

Seniors Kayla Bratcher and LeighAnn Floyd paced the offense with two RBIs each, with Floyd’s coming on her first career home run. Bratcher, Jackson, Calma and junior Jessica Sharker each had two hits for the Hawks.

Verlynda Wooders had one of the two hits for the Bearcats (0-10), while driving in their lone run of the afternoon.

Markeshea Dunn (0-1) threw seven of the eight innings of the doubleheader for Rust, allowing 17 runs and 19 hits. Chelsey Gunter took the loss in the opener after allowing nine runs in the first inning.

Huntingdon will return to action on Saturday, when it hosts Great South Athletic Conference foe Piedmont at 1 p.m.