Eagles Split With Ospreys

STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Softball split an afternoon twin bill with North Florida on Wednesday afternoon, winning the opener 3-0 before dropping the finale 2-1. Brooke Red (Warner Robins, Ga.) tossed a shutout two-hitter in game one while the Eagles out-hit UNF 8-5 in the finale, but dropped the final score, 2-1. Georgia Southern enters this weekend's conference series at Appalachian State with a 29-15 record while North Florida finishes the day at 27-22.

"North Florida is a very good team and they got the hits at the right time to get the win today," said Head Coach Annie Smith. "Brooke threw a great game in the opener and we had our chances in game two."

-GAME ONE-

After a pair of open frames to start the game, Georgia Southern got into the scoring with two outs in the third inning. Tabby Douberly (Clyo, Ga.) scored the opening run as she advanced on a throwing error by the North Florida catcher. She attempted to pick Lexi Allen (Cobbtown, Ga.) off at second, but the throw hit Allen's leg and bounded into right field, allowing both runners to advance. On the next pitch Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.) hit her sixth home run of the season to right field, making the score 3-0 to the Eagles.

Red went the distance for the Eagles in the circle, allowing just a pair of hits en route to her second career complete game shutout. She struck out seven batters on the afternoon while the offense provided enough run support for her 10th win of the season with no losses.

-GAME TWO-

With rain in the vicinity, North Florida got off to a good start, lacing a double on the opening pitch of a game. The Ospreys converted the leadoff hit into a run with one out on a wild pitch.

Allie Miles (Dacula, Ga.) got the start in game two, but lasted just two and a third innings allowing one run off four hits in the outing. Marla Thompson (Statesboro, Ga.) came in with one gone in the third and the bases loaded. She worked out of the jam with no runs scoring in the third.

The Eagle tied the score in the bottom of the third when Fogle hit a chopper up the middle with two outs that could not be fielded in time to catch the speedy centerfielder at first. Lewis, who hit a one-out double to spark the inning, scored the run to tie the game at 1-1.

After a walk by Allen in the fifth, Lewis kicked the inning into high gear with a single down the right field line. Allen tested the UNF right fielder and beat out the throw at third with Lewis following her to second. A two-out walk to Fogle loaded the bases for Mackenzie Williams (Baxley, Ga.). The Eagle senior flied out to right, stranding three runners to end the fifth inning.

A Georgia Southern throwing error in the sixth allowed North Florida to take a 2-1 lead. Georgia Southern put runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings, but could not score to tie the game. The loss was charged against Thompson, dropping her to 1-2 on the season.

The Eagles travel Appalachian State this weekend for a three-game set against the Mountaineers. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. from Boone.

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Category: Softball

Published on Wednesday, 18 April 2012 19:28