Georgia Southern 6, College of Charlesotn 2
BOONE, N.C. - The top-seeded Georgia Southern Eagles defeated the Cougars from the College of Charleston, 6-2 in the winner-take-all game Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars stunned Chattanooga in the consolation round earlier in the day to advance to the championship game, where they defeated top-seeded Georgia Southern, 5-4 forcing the winner-take-all game.
In the first inning, sophomore Kelsey Hodgson singled up the middle to score the first run of the deciding game giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Juniors Andrea Tarashuk and Tabby Douberley answered with two homers in the second to give the Eagles a one-run lead over College of Charleston.
Freshman Lexi Allen extended Georgia Southern's lead, 4-1 with a home run to right center in the top of the fourth right before junior Alexa Lewis stepped up to the plate to hit the fortieth home run of the tournament.
College of Charleston's lone senior Amanda Lonergan answered with a home run in the bottom half of the inning. In the top of the fifth, sophomore Kourtny Thomas grounded out to the shortstop to score freshman Kaitlyn Johnson, bringing the score to 6-2 in favor of the Eagles.
Miles (8-5) takes the win in the circle, while Stephanie Saylors (16-13) takes the loss. Miles gave up eight hits and struck out eight batters en route to the win.
During the tournament, there was a total of 41 home runs hit throughout 16 games, which sets a new league record. In 2008 at Patriots Point in Charleston, S.C., there were a total of 20 home runs hit through 15 games.
The Eagles receive the Southern Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday, May 13 at 10:00 p.m. on ESPNU.
2012 SoCon All-Tournament Team
Amanda Lonergan, College of Charleston
Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga
Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
Ashton Jarrett, College of Charleston
Tabby Douberley, Georgia Southern
Vivian Morimoto, Chattanooga
Andrea Tarashuk, Georgia Southern
Hope Klicker, College of Charleston
Allie Miles, Georgia Southern
Kaitlyn Johnson, Georgia Southern
Most Outstanding Player
Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern