Georgia Southern 4, College of Charleston 2
Georgia Southern 3, Boston College 2
ORLANDO, Fla. - Georgia Southern (10-6) swept day two of the UCF Tournament with a 4-2 victory over fellow Southern Conference member College of Charleston and a 3-2 victory over Boston College.
In the early game, Georgia Southern opened the game with a single from Lowes Senior CLASS Award nominee Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.). She then picked up her seventh steal of the season, swiping second base. Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.) hit an infield single to the shortstop, advancing Iduate to third. Fogle then stole second, her sixth of the season, however, as Cougars catcher Amanda Maurer threw to second to get Fogle, Iduate stole home, her eighth of the season. As College of Charleston then tried to get Iduate at home, Fogle stole third, her seventh. Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) reached base courtesy of a walk. Smith then stole second base, her third of the season. Jenny Side's fielders choice, allowed Fogle to score. The Eagles would end the inning scoring two runs.
College of Charleston chipped away at the Eagles lead by scoring a run in the first and fourth off Eagle pitcher Brianna Streetmon (Winder, Ga.). Both runs would be her first earned in more than ten innings pitched. Streetmon (5-2) would earn the win. She pitched four innings, giving up only two hits and striking our four more batters to bring her season total to a team high, 42 strikeouts.
In the top of the fifth inning, Georgia Southern broke open the game. With two outs in the inning, Iduate hit an inside the park home run. The home run was Iduate's first home run of her illustrious career as an Eagle. Fogle followed Iduate's home run with a solo shot of her own.
Kaitlynn Szczepanski (Chesapeake, Va.) came in to pitch for the Eagles in the bottom half of the fifth. Szczepanski pitched three innings of scoreless ball, allowing only three hits while striking out three. She earned her first career save as an Eagle.
In the nightcap, Georgia Southern faced off against Boston College. Georgia Southern once again struck first off a throwing error by Boston College catcher Brittany Wilkins, which allowed Iduate to score from second base. Boston College answered in the top of the sixth inning, taking a 2-1 lead.
However, Georgia Southern had an answer and more. Smith would hit a blast to right field to tie the game. After Boston College went quietly in the top of the seventh, the Eagles went back to work in the bottom half of the seventh. Iduate singled down the left field line and advanced to second on a throwing error by BC left fielder Maria Pandolfo. Fogle singled to center, allowing Iduate to advance to third. An intentional walk to Smith, loaded the bases for the Eagles with one out. Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) would deliver with a game- winning single to center, driving in the Iduate and giving the Georgia Southern Eagles a 3-2 win over Boston College.
Georgia Southern plays for the UCF Tournament championship against host, University of Central Florida, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Appalachian State 7, Bethune-Cookman 2
Appalachian State 2, Stetson 0
DELAND, Fla. - Appalachian State University softball staged a six-run rally in the top of the seventh to come from behind and beat Bethune-Cookman 7-2 Saturday afternoon at the Stetson Invitational. ASU beat Stetson in game two, 2-0.
Michelle Gorzelle started the inning off with a single to left and wound up scoring on two errors by the Wildcats' left fielder.
Hannah Dow followed with a single up the middle and was pinch run for by Louise Gibson. Allie Cashion followed with a walk and Megan Rembielak loaded the bases with a bunt single.
Meghan Smith grounded a 1-1 pitch to the short stop whose throw home was wide allowing Gibson and Cashion to score to put ASU on top 4-2.
Katie Boyd was intentionally walked to bring up McKenzie Phillips who hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Rembielak, and the left fielder dropped ball to advance everyone one base.
Michelle Lighton followed with an RBI single and Gorzelle produced an RBI ground out to conclude the offensive explosion.
The Black and Gold took the lead in the third when Rembielak singled, stole second and third and scored on a Wildcat error.
Bethune-Cookman took the lead with runs in the fourth and fifth, but Frannie Seader came on to pitch with one out in the fifth and shut the door, pitcihng the final 2.1 innings without allowing a hit.
Rembielak, Sarah Rappe and Dow all had two hits apiece for ASU.
Allie Cashion and Meghan Smith each drove in an RBI to lead ASU to a 2-0 victory over the Hatters. Caitlin Wainright was once again dominant in the circle, giving up seven hits, allowing two walks with nine strikeouts.
ASU plays Bethune-Cookman at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
UNC Greensboro 4, Bowling Green 1
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - Alex Emeterio hit a grand slam with two out in the top of the seventh inning as UNC Greensboro rallied for a 4-1 win over Bowling Green at the Buzz Classic on Saturday.
After a two-out error by pitcher Melissa Bott prolonged the top of the seventh and loaded the bases, Emeterio made Bott pay, sending her 2-2 pitch out to right center for her first career grand slam.
It was the third home run of the season for the Murrieta, Calif., sophomore, matching her total from all of last year.
The hit made a winner of Cory Mattson (3-4), who turned in her second straight quality start. After tossing a three-hit shutout over Howard on Friday, Mattson allowed just one run on four hits and four walks against the Falcons (4-7) on Saturday.
UNCG improved to 6-10 on the season with the win.
Senior Amber Harrell came on in the seventh and earned her first career save, but it was not without excitement. The Falcons loaded the bases with one out on a hit and two walks, but Harrell got a strikeout and a groundout to end the game.
The Falcons also loaded the bases in the first without the benefit of a hit, taking advantage of two walks and a UNCG error. Mattson recovered with a strikeout and a lineout to end the inning and keep the game scoreless to that point.
BGSU got its lone run in the bottom the third inning when Paige Berger led off the frame with a home run to center.
Mattson finished with six strikeouts in 6 innings and struck out the side looking in the second.
Emeterio went 2-for-4 with four RBI. Jordan Jewett finished 0-for-3 but was on base three times, drawing a walk in the first and reaching on errors in the fourth and seventh. It was Jewett that prolonged the game in the seventh after walks to pinch-hitter Katie Stripling and Kristen Gabel.
Bott (2-3) took the loss, allowing four runs - none earned - on five hits and five walks in 6 2/3 innings pitched. Eileen Horsmon's double knocked Bott from the game after Emeterio's homer, but Zada Lines got Brittany Ausley to line out to stop the bleeding.
The Spartans return to action at the Buzz Classic on Sunday, when they will take on Jacksonville State at 11 a.m. and Tennessee Tech at 1 p.m.
Chattanooga 8, Bradley 2
Rutgers 7, Chattanooga 0
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team went 1-1 on the day registering a victory against Bradley, 8-2. The Lady Mocs dropped the second game of the day 7-0 to Rutgers.
The bats for Chattanooga were loud against the Braves banging out 12 hits and scoring eight runs in a seven inning triumph as sophomore Jessica Traxler (Chino Hills, Calif.) went 4-for-4. Senior Brooke Loudermilk (Locust Grove, Ga.) took the victory and tied a season high with 13 strikeouts.
Both teams struggled in the second game as junior Nikki Waters (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) was pitching well before Rutgers scored four times in the sixth. Waters had a no hitter going through 5.1 innings pitched.
The Lady Mocs are back in action to conclude the USF Under Armour Invitational on Sunday at 9 a.m. when they face Villanova. Chattanooga opens the conference slate on March 13-14 at Frost Stadium against Furman with first pitch at 1 p.m.
Game One: Chattanooga 8, Bradley 2
In an early morning game with picture-perfect weather, the UTC softball team defeated Bradley 8-2 at the USF Under Armour Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. Junior Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.) notched her 24th career home run putting her one shy of the UTC home run record, while Traxler went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
In the circle for the Lady Mocs was Loudermilk who went the distance striking out 13 Braves. She gave up two runs in the final inning as Bradley had six hits.
In the top of the second, senior Tia Blosser (Knoxville, Tenn.) led off the inning with a double to left center. After a walk to senior Brittany Eason (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Blosser beat the third baseman to the bag on a single by sophomore Jenni Martin (East Ridge, Tenn.). Traxler drove in the first run of the game with a single to center.
With the bases loaded, junior Lyndsey Stiles (Hixson, Tenn.) drew a bases loaded walk to plate the second run of the game for Chattanooga. The Lady Mocs would end the inning with a groundout to second with the bases loaded.
Second baseman Blosser made a superb diving play in the hole towards first and in the same motion tossed the ball to freshman Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) to retire the Braves in the third.
With one out in the fourth, Traxler doubled over the center fielder's head. Junior Lauren Flores (Fort Ogelthorpe, Ga.) singled to the third baseman, who dove knocking down the ball that would have gone through the left side.
After a Stiles walk and with two outs, junior Della Harrison (Nashville, Tenn.) was called on to pinch hit and delivered a two-RBI single up the middle that bounced over the pitcher's head into centerfield giving the Lady Mocs a 4-0 lead. It was not the first time that Harrison has come through in a key situation as she drove in the game winning runs for a 6-5 win against Rutgers on Feb. 26 in extra innings.
After an Eason walk and a ground out to first, the Lady Mocs used a two-out rally to add two more runs for a 6-0 advantage. A Flores single to center brought in one run, while a Stiles infield single scored the second. A base running miscue ended the inning for the Lady Mocs.
With one out in the six, Baker jumped on a 1-0 pitch and drove it over the left field fence. It was the sixth home run of the season for the East Ridge, Tenn., native, who has 24 career home runs.
To start the six, Traxler nailed a ball off the top of the 10-foot high fence in left field for her second double of the game. The Chino Hills, Calif., native scored on a single by Flores to right that was misplayed the right fielder.
The Braves were paced by Amanda Clack at the plate going 3-for-4, all singles. Mackenzie Camp and Katie Daniels pitched for the Braves combining to strikeout three batters and gave up five walks.
Game Two: Rutgers 7, Chattanooga 0
After an impressive hitting performance for Chattanooga against Bradley, the bats were silenced against Rutgers, who recorded a 7-0 victory. The Lady Mocs were only able to come up with three hits in the game as the Scarlet Knights' Nicole Lindley registered her first win of the season.
Baker, Traxler and Flores picked up the hits for Chattanooga, who fell to 11-6, while the Scarlet Knights improved to 4-10 on the season.
Junior Nikki Waters (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) started for Chattanooga and pitched a gem through five innings, but the Scarlet Knights were able to come up with three runs in the frame against the hurler.
Next to the circle was junior Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Rutgers was ready as they scored three times in over an inning pitched. Down 4-0 in the seventh, Chattanooga brought in Loudermilk to try and close the door and have a chance in the bottom of the inning, but six illegal pitches led to three runs. Loudermilk was only charged with one earned run.
In the sixth, Rutgers recorded a single and triple to put the first runs on the board followed by two walks and an infield single. Two fielders choices where the Lady Mocs were unable to record an out put Rutgers up 4-0 in the innings.
Jennifer Meinheit, Brittany Lindley and Mikelyn Messina scored two runs each, while Lindley recorded two hits and Messina drew three walks.
College of Charleston 1, Harvard 0
ORLANDO, Fla. - Junior pitcher Alexa Datko (San Diego, Calif.) threw a complete game, three-hit shutout in the opener as the College of Charleston (6-11) split a pair of games on Day 2 of the UCF Invitational on Saturday, March 6. The Cougars defeated Harvard (1-3) 1-0 in the first game before falling 4-2 to Southern Conference foe Georgia Southern (9-6) in a rare non-conference meeting in the night cap.
The Cougars jumped ahead early as redshirt-senior second baseman Amber Shifflett (Virginia Beach, Va.) doubled to lead off the game and eventually came around to score on a fielding error for a 1-0 lead. As it turned out, that first inning run would be all that they would need as Alexa Datko pitched a masterful game, allowing only two hits over the first three innings before setting down 12 straight Crimson batters over the next four frames.
Harvard's best chance in the late innings came in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore first baseman Whitney Shaw doubled to lead off the frame and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. A walk by senior catcher Jessica Pledger and stolen base from pinch runner Mariel Sena then put runners on second and third before senior outfielder Jennifer Francis walked to load the bases.
CofC then cut off the tying run as junior shortstop Hillary Stringer (Summerville, S.C.) rifled a throw to the plate for a force out and junior outfielder Emily Henderson, who had reached on the fielder's choice, was called out at second on runner's interference to end the game.
Datko (2-5) led the College of Charleston effort with a complete-game, three-hit shutout and struck out four batters while Harvard freshman Jessica Ferri (0-2) was the hard luck loser with a 6.1 inning outing in which she allowed only the one run and three hits.
Georgia Southern took the early lead in the second game as the Eagles scored a pair of runs in the first inning for a 2-0 lead. Senior shortstop Nina Iduate sparked the offense with a lead off single, stole second and stole home as part of a double steal for the first run. Sophomore centerfielder Marie Fogle was the other half of that double steal and she swiped third before scoring on a sacrifice bunt by senior catcher Jenny Side.
The Cougars answered in the bottom of the inning as Amber Shifflett worked a lead off walk and advanced to second on a sac bunt before scoring on a single to center by senior designated hitter Kristie Shifflett (Virginia Beach, Va.) to make it 2-1. The score would stay that way over the next two innings as neither team could scratch a hit until GSU broke through with a single in the top of the fourth.
The College of Charleston topped that in the home half of the inning as Kristie Shifflett reached base on a hit-by-pitch and was pinch run for by freshman second baseman Ashton Jarrett (Hanahan, S.C.). She advanced to second on another sac bunt and scored on a single to center by sophomore third baseman Kelley Dillon (Hanahan, S.C.) to tie the game at 2-2.
It would not stay even for long however, as the Eagles broke through in the fifth. Following a pair of quick outs, Iduate laced an inside the park homerun and Fogle followed with a more traditional over the fence variety to give Georgia Southern a 4-2 lead.
The Cougars had their opportunities in the late innings as Amber Shifflett reached base on a two-out walk in the fifth and advanced to third on a double by junior outfielder Kristi Woodall (Huntersville, N.C.) but would be stranded there following a ground out.
The following inning, sophomore outfielder Katie Forbes (Odessa, Fla.) doubled with one out and advanced to third on a Dillon single before the Eagles worked their way out of the jam. They could not capitalize on their final opportunity when Amber Shifflett drew a one-out walk in the seventh but would advance no further as GSU closed out the two-run victory.
Iduate and Fogle led the attack for Georgia Southern as Iduate went 2-for-4 with two runs, an RBI on her inside the park homerun and a pair of stolen bases while Fogle finished with a very similar line of 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI on a homerun and two steals. Jenny Side accounted for the only other Eagles RBI with her sac bunt. In the pitching circle, junior Megen Smith was credited with a no-decision following a four inning outing in which she allowed two hits, two runs, two walks and struck out four batters. Freshman Kaitlynn Szczpanski pitched three innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory and move to 2-0 on the season.
Kristie Shifflett and Kelley Dillon posted 1-for-3, one RBI days for the College of Charleston while Woodall and Forbes each added a double. Additionally, Amber Shifflett drew three walks on the day, tying for the third most in a single game in program history. Senior pitcher Terri Mesko (McDonough, Ga.) took the complete game loss to drop to 2-5 on the season.
The Cougars wrap up the tournament with a 9 a.m. game with Big East member Providence before going on break until March 14 when they will host Coastal Carolina in a double-header.
NOTES
The meeting between Harvard and the College of Charleston was the first in program history ... Amber Shifflett became the 25th player in Cougars history to draw three walks in a game.
Minnesota 9, Elon 4
Georgia 8, Elon 2
ATHENS, Ga. - The Elon softball team dropped a pair of decisions to Minnesota and No. 4 Georgia on Saturday afternoon in the UGA Bulldog Invitational in Athens, Ga. The Phoenix fell 9-4 to Minnesota in the first game before falling to Georgia 8-2 in the second game. Elon moves to 9-3 on the season while Minnesota is now 8-13. Georgia extended its 15-game winning streak and is now 17-1.
Game One - Minnesota 9, Elon 4
Minnesota put up four runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Malisa Barnes opened the inning with a double to left field. With one away and the bases loaded, Alex Davis was hit by a pitch that allowed Minnesota's first run of the inning. A single by Dannie Skrove plated Sammie Howard and made it a 2-0 game. Minnesota added two more runs before Kaitlyn Piazzolla tagged Skrove out at home to end the inning.
The Phoenix cut the deficit to two, 4-2, in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jackie Gonzalez greeted the inning with a single up the middle. Following a walk to Cailtin McGowan that put runners at the corners, Emerald Graham doubled down the left field line and advanced to third on the throw, scoring both Gonzalez and Carly MacDougall, who came on to pinch run for McGowan.
The Golden Gophers answered with one run in the top of the fifth. With one out, Kari Dorle doubled to right center. She later scored on a wild pitch that put Minnesota up 5-2. Elon pitcher Lauren Taylor struck the final batter out to end the inning.
Elon made it a one run game, 5-4, in the bottom of the fifth. A pair of walks helped Elon load the bases. With no one out, Gonzalez singled through the right side and scored Crewe from third. With the bases still loaded, McGowan became the second Phoenix batter to be hit by a pitch, scoring Hannah Shelton. Elon was unable to push another run home as Lacey Middlebrooks pitched her way out of the bases-loaded jam with consecutive strikeouts.
The Phoenix was unable to come any closer, as Minnesota put up two runs in each of the final two innings, sealing the 9-4 win.
Taylor fell to 3-1 on the year after allowing seven runs on five hits in 5.1 innings in the circle. She also struck out six batters. Middlebrooks picked up the win to move to 8-5 on the year. She allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on four hits in seven innings of work.
Game Two - No. 4 Georgia 8, Elon 2
The fourth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs saw its streak of 20 innings without allowing a run come to an end in the top of the first inning. After a pair of singles and stolen bases gave the Phoenix two runners in scoring position, Graham picked up an RBI on a groundout to first.
Georgia tied the game 1-1 in the bottom half of the first inning on an RBI double to right center by Brianna Hesson. Taylor Schlopy scored the run after walking, stealing second and moving to third on a throwing error.
The Bulldogs put up five runs in the top of the third inning to go up 6-1. Georgia loaded the bases to start the inning as Schlopy walked, Megan Wiggins singled and Alisa Goler drew another walk. Hesson then notched an RBI on a sacrifice fly, and Kristyn Sandberg followed with a RBI single. Brittany Hubbard, who entered as a pinch runner for Goler, scored the inning's third run on a wild pitch. Laura Trout cleared the bases with a two-run home run to left field. O'Shea registered a strikeout of Sara Sikes that brought the inning to a close.
After reaching on a single to left field, Piazzolla made it a 6-2 game on a RBI double by McGowan. The Phoenix couldn't push another run across as the final two batters were retired.
The Bulldogs looked to threaten in the top of the fourth inning, loading the bases with just one away. O'Shea got out of the jam by getting the final two Bulldogs out.
Georgia added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to make it an 8-2 game. After loading the bases with two outs, Trout and Amberlie Saxon each picked up a RBI with a pair of walks. A fly out to Graham in center field stranded three Bulldog runners.
O'Shea suffered her first loss of the season, falling to 4-1. In six innings of work, she allowed eight runs on eight hits and 10 walks. She also struck out three. Alison Owen got her first decision of the year, allowing just one run on four hits in 5.2 innings. She also struck out five Phoenix batters.
Elon will look to return to its winning ways tomorrow morning when it takes on Belmont at 11:15 a.m.
Arizona State 6, Samford 1
UC Santa Barbara 5, Samford 2
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Samford softball team held No. 9 Arizona State to only six runs and eight hits in its first game of day two of the Wilson/Demarini Invitational Saturday. However, the Bulldogs but could not score more than one run and therefore fell to the Sun Devils, 6-1, before falling to UC Santa Barbara in the nightcap, 5-2.
The Sun Devils scored four in the second inning before Samford (6-8) got on the board in the top of the fourth on a home run by Katie England. Arizona State then added two more runs in the bottom of the inning led off by a one-out homer to bring the final score to 6-1.
Amanda Barrs (1-3) took the loss after pitching four and one-third innings. She gave up two earned runs on eight hits and walked three batters. Robyn Harmon closed out the game and only recorded one walk.
England's home run was her only hit of the game but she was credited with the Bulldogs' only run and RBI. Alex Adams went 2-for-3 at the plate while Amy Gonzalez went 1-for-3.
Katelyn Boyd led the Sun Devils a 2-for-3 appearance at the plate with two runs and one RBI. Sam Parlich (3-1) pitched the complete game, giving up just one earned run on four hits. She struck out two batters and walked two. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate.
UCSB took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning before adding another run to their score in the top of the third. Samfor finally got into the game in the bottom of the inning scoring when Harmon scored from first base on a double by England that lead to an error.
Each team scored one more in the fourth inning, the Gauchos on a wild pitch and the Bulldogs on a sacrifice fly to left field by Anna Kimbrell to score Rachael Reeves. UCSB would score one more in the top of the fifth inning to make the final score, 5-2.
The Bulldogs will close out play in the Wilson/Demarini Invitational Sunday morning at 10 a.m. CST. A full recap and results will be available on www.samfordsports.com upon completion of the contest.
Dartmouth 4, Western Carolina 0
Kentucky 5, Western Carolina 0
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - Western Carolina softball (3-9) was shutout by Dartmouth 4-0 and No. 23 Kentucky 5-0 Saturday in day two of the Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech.
Junior Chere Monday was on the mound for Western Carolina against Dartmouth. Monday fell to 1-1 on the season giving up four runs on nine hits in a complete game. Dartmouth scored runs in the second and fourth and a pair of runs in the fifth.
The Catamounts had one player in scoring position in the game, as Bekah Burkett picked up her second hit in the fifth inning, and moved to third. With two outs pinch hitter Shemekia Scotten struck out looking to end the Catamount threat. Jordan Fulton and Colby Liles also got hits, giving the Catamounts four in the game.
In the final game of the day, sophomore Katie King (0-5) got the call on the mount against Top-25 Kentucky. King tossed two scoreless innings against the Wildcats before Kentucky exploded for four runs in the third inning. Kentucky tacked on a lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Western Carolina had just two hits in the contest - one by sophomore Chelsea Schaffer and one by senior Kristen Gay.
The Catamounts close out the Buzz Classic on Sunday playing Kennesaw State at 1 p.m.a