SoCon Softball Results, Sunday, May 2

Eagles Split With Bucs

STATESBORO, Ga. - Carolynn Chin's single to right field brought in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Georgia Southern the 1-0 victory in the second game of the weekend series. Game two saw ETSU score four runs in the seventh inning to escape the series sweep with the 4-0 win.

After playing four innings Saturday before the game was called due to thunderstorms, the Eagles and Bucs resumed play Sunday afternoon. After three and a half scoreless innings, Georgia Southern (27-26, 9-9 Southern Conference) scored the game winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Heather Smith grounded out to second, Sam Steiner, who pinch hit for Tiffany Urena, reached first on an error by the Bucs shortstop. Logan Free pinch hit for Katie Roberts and hit a single to center field, advancing Steiner to second, with Chin up to bat. She ripped the ball down the left field line, allowing Steiner to score, giving the Eagles the 1-0 win.

In game two, ETSU (26-31, 6-12 Southern Conference) scored four runs in the seventh inning and held off a Georgia Southern rally to win 4-2. Danielle Spetar led off the Bucs seventh with a single to second base. After a walk and an Eagle error, the Bucs had the bases loaded with no outs as Miranda Byerly stepped to the plate. She singled to center field, allowing Spetar to score the first run of the game. Tiffany McVay fouled out to the catcher for the first out of the inning. A Sherly Clark single through the left side brought in another Buc run. Mary Beth Hazelwood reached first on a GSU error, which allowed the Bucs to score another run. Janine Sprague's single to right field scored the final ETSU run of the inning, giving them the 4-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Kim Griffin opened with a double to left field, and would advance to third on a passed ball. Maria Laurato flied out to right field, allowing Griffin to tag third and score the Eagles first run of the game. Steiner reached first on an ETSU error, as Lindsay Jones stepped to the plate. She would reach on a fielder's choice, as the Bucs attemped to get Steiner out at second, but could not make the play. Cary Moone ripped a ball to center field, allowing Steiner to score, cutting the margin to 4-2, but would be thrown out at second as she attemped to advance. A Smith line drive straight to the pitcher ended the game, with the Bucs winning 4-2.

The Eagles will travel to Boone, N.C. for their final regular season SoCon series as they will face Appalachian State Thursday afternoon. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.



Lady Paladins, Lady Mocs Softball Cancelled Due to Rain

Greenville, S.C. -- Furman and Chattanooga were unable to complete the final game of a three-game weekend softball series Sunday when rain halted play in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Despite Chattanooga holding a 1-0 lead, the five innings required to have an official game were not completed. With one out in the bottom of the fifth, heavy rain caused the game to be suspended.

After 30 minutes, work began to prepare the field to continue but another heavy shower left Pepsi Stadium turf unplayable.

Furman, 14-44 overall and 6-11 in league play, will wrap up the regular season with a three-game series at East Tennessee State next weekend while Chattanooga will conclude the regular season battling the College of Charleston.



Cougars Take Two from Spartans

Mt. Pleasant, S.C The College of Charleston swept UNC Greensboro in a Southern Conference doubleheader from Patriots Point. The Cougars took the first game 6-3 and the second game 5-1.

The Cougars improve to 37-21 overall and 11-6 in Southern Conference play. The Spartans fall to 29-26 overall and 7-9 in conference action.

In the first game the score was tied at two in entering the bottom of the sixth when the Cougars scored four runs to close out the game. Katie Ballard got the big hit of the inning with a two run single up the middle plating Cone and Rothey. The next batter, Darcy Johnson hit a liner to the right centerfield wall knocking Ballard and Bridget Loudermilk. Rachael Stern pitched seven innings giving up only five hits to improve to 19-9 this season. Danielle Byrne gave up all six Cougar runs and falls to 11-10.

The Cougars completed the sweep by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first in the second game. Leshe Russell scored the first run of the game on an error by the Spartans shortstop. Johnson doubled down the right field line to knock in three Cougars. Natalie Smith pitched the complete game giving up one run to improve to 12-8 on the season. Vanessa Oakes also recorded the complete game but falls to 12-12.

Saturdays game marked the final home games at Patriots Point for seniors Katie Ballard, Cone, Shannan Edwards, Brooke Flowers and Jacquie Rothey.

The Spartans host Elon in a three game set next weekend in Greensboro, N.C. The Cougars travel to Chattanooga, Tenn. to take on the Mocs on Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 to close out the regular season. The 2004 SoCon Tournament will be held on May 14-16 in Chattanooga.