Georgia Southern 5, Mercer 3; Georgia Southern 9, Mercer 5

STATESBORO, Ga. ? Softball (2-2) sweeps Mercer (3-3) Sunday at Eagle Field giving head coach Maggie Johnson her first two career victories.

Georgia Southern won game one 5-3 and game two 9-5.

Kristan Glover (Evans, Ga.) picked up both wins on 8.2 combined innings pitched.

“Kristen really stepped up and got the job done,” said Johnson.

Robyne Siliga (Oceanside, Calif.) hit a home run in both game one and game two.

“Robyne just hits the ball hard,” said Johnson.

Game One

A three-run sixth inning lifted Georgia Southern over Mercer in game one of a doubleheader at Eagle Field Sunday.

Freshman Hannah Ennis (Snellville, Ga.) led off the sixth inning with a 0-2 single. Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.) drove in Stephanie Peet (Lawrenceville, Ga.), who pitch ran for Ennis for the first run of the inning. Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) kept the two-out rally going with a RBI double to right center. Amanda Glover (Evans, Ga.) drove in Russo to give the Eagles a 5-3 lead.

Georgia Southern manufactured a first inning run to take a 1-0 lead. Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.) reached on an infield hit and came around to score on a wild pitch with two outs.

The Eagles added to their lead when Siliga homered to center giving Georgia Southern a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning.

Kristan Glover picked up the win in relief. She pitched 1.2 innings allowing only one hit and no runs.

Mercer took a short lived 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning. Emi Sherrill hit a two RBI single with bases loaded to tie the game. Kristin Marko hit a pitch hit RBI single to give the Bears the lead. Mercer kept the bases loaded with one out after Marko’s hit. Sherrill was thrown out at home by Siliga for the second out of the inning. Kristan Glover struck out Lacey Richardson on a 1-2 count to get out of the jam.

Game Two

Mackenzie Williams’ (Baxley, Ga.) grand slam in the fifth inning lifts softball over Mercer in game two of the doubleheader Sunday. The grand slam was Williams’ first hit of her career and gave Georgia Southern a 7-2 lead.

The Eagles scored all nine runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings as the bats came to life late in the ballgame.

Mercer took an early two-run lead in the second when Cassy Neilson drove in two runs on a two-out double.

Page Raynor doubled in the third inning as Mercer threatened to score in back-to-back innings; however, Jordyn Nail (Swainsboro, Ga.) made a sliding catch in right field with two outs to end the threat.

Ennis got things started for the Eagles with a leadoff triple in the fourth and scored on a wild pitch.

Siliga hit her second home run of the season in the fourth and tied the game at 2-2.

Amanda Hall (Haddock, Ga.) drove in two more runs in the sixth inning with her first home run of the season. She went two for four with three RBIs in game two and leads the team in runs batted in.

“Hall consistently hits, and that was a big one in the sixth,” said Johnson.

Kristan Glover went the distance for Georgia Southern earning her second win on the day.

Iduate stole two bases and scored two runs in game two.

Softball hits the road Tuesday and will face Florida A&M in a doubleheader in Tallahassee, Fla. starting at 4 p.m.

UNC Charlotte 3, UNC Greensboro 1

CHARLOTTE, NC ? Kaitlin Merkt's solo home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning was all the offense UNC Greensboro could muster on Sunday as the Spartans fell to tournament host Charlotte 3-1 in the championship game of the Green and White Classic.

With the Spartans (6-4) trailing 3-0 heading into their last at bat, Merkt hit a blast to left center, her first of the 2009 campaign, to make things interesting. Pinch-hitter Mary Catherine Vercoe was then hit by a pitch, bringing the tying run to the plate with no one out.

Classic Most Valuable Pitcher Katy Hackett (3-0) worked out of the jam, getting a fielder’s choice to erase pinch-runner Laura Olenderski at second, then getting a groundout and a lineout to end the game.

The 49ers (4-1) handed UNCG pitcher Hannah Angel (4-1) her first loss of the season.

Charlotte struck quickly, using a pair of walks and a pair of hits in the top of the first to bring in Lorena Vela. After Vela drew a one-out walk, Serena Smith and Jamie West had consecutive singles to load the bases. Keri Palma brought Vela in with a bases-loaded walk to get the 49ers on the board.

Charlotte added what would prove to be the winning run in the sixth, when Tenaya Tucker’s single to left scored Palma. The 49ers added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, when Classic MVP Sarah Malene singled to lead off the inning, then stole second. Vela’s base hit brought Vela in for Charlotte’s third run of the game.

The Spartans threatened in the first inning, when Alex Emeterio hit a two-out double and Leslie Furness followed with a walk. But Hackett struck out Merkt looking to end the threat.

UNCG only got two more runners into scoring position until the seventh inning, doing so in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Sirois was stranded at second after a one-out single and a sacrifice, and in the sixth, Brittany Ausley was stranded at third after reaching on an error.

Hackett allowed just one run on three hits in denying UNCG coach Jennifer Herzig another win over her alma mater ? the Spartans beat Charlotte 3-2 in eight innings on Friday ? and her first tournament crown.

Angel allowed three earned runs on eight hits and three walks in falling for the first time this season.

Malene led the 49ers at the plate on the afternoon with a 2-for-4 effort.

UNCG returns to action next weekend at the Sixth Annual Georgia Softball Classic, where it will face Marshall and Ball State on Friday, Tennessee and IUPUI on Saturday and the host Bulldogs on Sunday.

James Madison 9, College of Charleston 2

CHARLESTON, S.C. - James Madison (6-3) notched a six run seventh inning to stretch a 3-2 lead to a 9-2 victory over the College of Charleston (2-5) on the final day of the 2009 CofC Cougar Classic in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

In a match-up of aces, neither team was able to get their offense started in the early innings as both starters combined for eight strikeouts.. Senior pitcher Meredith Felts notched five strikeouts over the first two innings for the Dukes while junior pitcher Terri Mesko (McDonough, Ga.) set down three batters.

Following a scoreless top of the third inning, the Cougars took advantage in the bottom half of the frame with a lead off double by senior outfielder Tiffany Harmon (Lynn Haven, Fla.). She then scored on a single up the middle by senior shortstop Christal Kotchman (Seminole, Fla.) two batters later to give CofC a 1-0 lead.

JMU answered back in the top of the fourth inning when junior outfielder Brittney Dyson walked and then scored on a single by junior utility Chelsea Ryan to tie the game at 1-1. The Cougars went 1-2-3 in their half of the inning before the Dukes' bats came alive in the fifth inning.

After a quick out to start the inning, redshirt-junior first baseman Shannon Moxey walked and was followed by back-to-back singles by junior outfielder Courtney Simons and senior catcher Julia Dominquez. With the bases loaded, Charleston brought in freshman pitcher Laura Jeroszko (Simpsonville, S.C.) to pitch to Dominguez.

James Madison took the lead on her first pitch when she was called for an illegal pitch and all runners advanced, including the go-ahead run off of third base. Leading 2-1, the Dukes then stretched their lead to 3-1 on a fielder's choice to shortstop by Dyson before CofC recorded the third out of the inning.

The Cougars then clawed back to within 3-2 in their next at bat as sophomore outfielder Kristi Woodall (Huntersville, N.C.) walked to lead off the inning. She came around to score on a sacrifice fly by senior designated hitter Shannon Howard (Carmichael, Calif.) to narrow the gap to one run.

That would be as close as they would get as James Madison exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh inning to put the game away and push the lead to 9-2. Charleston would get one back in the bottom of the seventh on a run by senior shortstop Christal Kotchman (Seminole, Fla.) to make the final margin 9-3.

Senior third baseman Amber Kirk led the way for James Madison with a 3-for-3 day with two runs while Simons and Moxey each went 2-for-4. Senior outfielder Kaitlyn Wernsing also went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI and Brittney Dyson added a pair of RBIs. Senior pitcher Jenny Clohan pitched four innings of relief, giving up five runs and two hits to earn the victory and move to 5-1 on the season while Felts started and went three innings, striking out five.

Christal Kotchman led Charleston with a 2-for-3 outing and run scored while Tiffany Harmon finished 2-for-2 with a run scored and her first stolen base of the season. Shannon Howard and junior third baseman Kristie Shifflett (Virginia Beach, Va.) each added an RBI. Junior pitcher Terri Mesko (McDonough, Ga.) pitched 4.1 innings, allowing six hits and three runs as she took the loss to fall to 2-3.

The Cougars wrap up the tournament with a 4:00 p.m. game with Howard.

Howard 5, College of Charleston 1

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Junior utility Aisha Ledet belted a pinch-hit grand slam in the fifth inning as Howard (3-3) defeated the College of Charleston (2-6) 5-1 Sunday evening in the finale of the 2009 CofC Cougar Classic in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

The Bison took the early lead in the second inning as sophomore utility Emily Johnson took the first pitch she saw and belted it over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead. The score would stay that way until the top of the fifth inning when Cougars senior shortstop Christal Kotchman (Seminole, Fla.) walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a single to right field by junior third baseman Kristie Shifflett (Virginia Beach, Va.).

With the score tied at 1-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, Howard loaded the bases on a single, fielder's choice and a walk before bringing in Aisha Ledet to pinch-hit for freshman outfielder Morgan Plowden. Ledet then drilled a towering shot down the left field line for a grand slam, giving the Bison a daunting 5-1 advantage.

That would be all they would need as Howard allowed only a pair of hits the rest of the way to secure the four-run victory and move to 3-3 on the season.

Sophomore pitcher Jessica Hurston picked up the victory after pitching three innings of scoreless, three hit relief while junior pitcher Christina McCoy started and went four innings, allowing four hits, one run and striking out four. Offensively, Ledet's four RBI led the way while Emily Johnson went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI on her solo home run.

For the Cougars, sophomore first baseman Katie Nutaitis (Vienna, Va.) went 3-for-4 and Kristie Shifflett and senior pitcher Shannon Howard (Carmichael, Calif.) each finished 2-for-4 on the evening. Shifflett had Charleston's lone RBI. In the circle, Howard went the distance, pitching six innings and allowing five hits, five runs and striking out two to fall to 0-3.

The Cougars resume their schedule next weekend when they travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina for the USC Upstate Spartan Classic. The tournament will run from February 21-22 and feature UMBC, Presbyterian and the host Spartans.

Longwood 5, Elon 1

ATHENS, GA. - On the final day of the Red and Black Showcase in Athens, Ga., the Phoenix fell to Longwood 5-1. With the loss, the Phoenix drop to 0-4 on the season.
 
Elon hurler Lauren Taylor recorded the loss for Elon, allowing four runs off of seven hits in four and one-third innings of work. She also struck out three. Also making an appearance in the circle for the Phoenix was Erin O’Shea, who in two and two-thirds innings, allowed just one run on four hits and struck out one. Briana Wells of Longwood earned the win, as she threw six innings, allowing just one run on three hits. She also had five strikeouts.
 
Ashlee Crewe scored the lone Elon run on an RBI by Danielle Lafferty. Camille Ketsdever and Ashley Kramer led the Lancers with two runs each.
 
The Lancers got things started early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Lashunda Davis drew an opening walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Nichole Simmons. The two scored after Tricia Nelson reached on a fielding error by the Phoenix and advancing on the throw. After giving up a single, Taylor settled in to record the final out of the inning.
 
The offenses stayed quiet over the next inning and a half, as neither team recorded a hit. Brandi Jones doubled with one out in the top of the third, but would not be driven home as the final two outs were recorded to end the inning.
 
Longwood added a run in each of the next three innings to make it a 5-0 game. The Phoenix put a run on the board in the top of the second inning when Ashlee Crewe scored on an RBI-ground out by Danielle Lafferty. Crewe, who reached on a Longwood fielding error, advanced to third after Kaitlyn Piazzolla doubled to right field. With one out, Lafferty grounded out to first base, scoring Crewe and putting Piazzolla on third. She would be left stranded as Caitlin McGowan would ground out to the shortstop.
 
Longwood looked to add to its lead in the top of the seventh as Courtney Long and Amy Betterton each singled to put runners at the corners. O’Shea got Kramer to pop up to second to end the threat.
 
In its final opportunity, Elon’s Jaimie Rao drew a walk with one out. The walk was followed by a single off the bat of Brandi Jones that put Rao into scoring position. The two would remain on base as Brittany Spencer, who came on in relief of Briana Wells retired the final two Elon batters.
 
The Phoenix will host the Bojangle’s Invitational next weekend as North Carolina A&T and Southern Illinois visit East Field for the home opener. Elon’s first game is slated for 1:15 p.m. as it takes on the Aggies of N.C. A&T. Live stats for the game will be available at www.elonphoenix.com.

University of Missouri-Kansas City 4, Furman 2

Auburn, Ala. -- Pitcher Nichole Ellis limited Furman to just one earned run on five hits over seven innings to lead the University of Missouri-Kansas City to a 4-2 victory over Furman on Sunday morning at the Auburn Tiger Softball Invitational.

Ellis struck out eight batters and held Furman without an extra-base hit to improve to 1-0 in the circle while the Kangaroos upped their record to 2-7. Furman fell to 2-4 with its third straight defeat.

With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the sixth inning, Ellis worked her way out of a jam by getting Jessie Homesley to bounce into a double play to end the inning. Ellis walked to start the bottom of the inning and was followed by a single and a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third. Furman tagged out pinch runner Ann Sokolik at the plate for the second out, but Amanda Evans followed with an RBI single and a second run crossed the plate on a passed ball to put UMKC ahead 4-2.

The Kangaroos took the lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly and a solo homer from Che Hartwig. Homesley singled down the line to pull Furman within one run in the second inning and the Paladins tied the game at 2-2 on an error in the fourth.

Lana Mackey (2-1) took the loss for Furman allowing three earned runs on eight hits in six innings of work. She struck out five batters but issued six walks in her first loss of the season. Mackey also collected two hits at the plate to lead the Paladins offensively.

Hartwig and Betsy Handley each notched a pair of base hits for the Kangaroos.

Shortstop Stephanie Cushing was selected to the all-tournament team. The senior belted a home run and drove in three runs for the Paladins on the weekend.

Furman travels to Johnson City, Tenn. on Wednesday to take on East Tennessee State in a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

Purdue 4, Appalachian State 1

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Katie Boyd went 2-3 and broke up the Purdue shutout with a home run in the seventh, but it was not enough as ASU fell to Purdue 4-1 Sunday morning in Tallahassee.

Purdue (4-2) got on the board first when Shelby Krammer drove in a run with a second inning single and the Boilermakers increased the lead in the third when Beth Cinadr hit a solo home run.

The Boilermakers added unearned runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to bump the lead to 4-0.

Despite the loss, Kayla Richardson threw well for the Mountaineers, giving up just two earned runs on four hits in six innings. ASU struggled defensively with three errors.

Boyd accounted for both Mountaineer hits, giving her five so far this season and three home runs.

Appalachian is back in action next weekend when they travel to the Coastal Carolina Kickin' Chicken Classic. The Mountaineers play Virginia Tech Saturday Feb. 21 at 11:30 a.m. and Coastal Carolina at 4:30 p.m.

Iowa 8, Chattanooga 0

TEMPE, Ariz. --- The Chattanooga softball team (5-7) was unable to wrap up the Littlewood Classic with a win, dropping an 8-0 decision to Iowa (7-3) in six innings. In the loss the UTC offense and defense continued to struggle, recording only two hits and committing three errors.

Michelle Fuzzard (1-2) took the loss for the Lady Mocs, allowing seven runs, five earned, in four and a third. Brittany Weil (5-2) picked up the win for the Hawkeyes.

In the top of the first UTC was only able to get one hit off Weil, a one out double from Lauren Flores. In the bottom half, Iowa scored the contest’s first run on an infield RBI single from Katie Brown.

Both teams would remain scoreless until the fourth when the Hawkeyes broke the game open. Third baseman Colleen McGlaughlin led off the inning with a single through the left side of the infield.

After a sacrifice bunt attempt failed by Lindsey Major, Liz Watkins was hit by a pitch. Leftfielder Quinn Morelock would then make UTC pay with a three-run homer over the wall in left-center to give Iowa the 4-0 lead.

Chattanooga was retired in order in the fifth; Iowa expanded its lead with three more runs. Watkins was the main culprit for the Hawkeyes in the frame with a clutch two-run double.

Iowa was able to put the game away in the sixth with a Katie Brown squeeze bunt that brought in Taylor Leichsenring to give the Hawkeyes the 8-0 win.

The Lady Mocs will now return back to the Scenic City to begin preparation for the South Carolina Gamecock Tournament, which begins on Friday, Feb. 20. UTC will open up the tournament with James Madison at 7 p.m. Live stats for all of the Lady Mocs’ games will be available at GoMocs.com.