Georgia Southern Makes History in SoCon Thriller

STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern (20-17, 6-5 SoCon) suffered its biggest heartbreak of the season on Sunday in a 5-4 defeat by Chattanooga in 11 innings. The Eagles made history in turning the program's first-ever triple play in the top of the seventh inning to get them out of a jam.

The season's most memorable play to date would occur while Georgia Southern was in the field.  With no one out in the inning, Chattanooga had runners on first and second.  Lauren Flores hit a grounder to Eagles' shortstop Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.). Iduate fielded the ball and stepped on second for the first out.  She then threw the ball to stretched-out Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) at first base for the second out. The Lady Mocs' Tia Blosser attempted to score from second base on the play. However, Russo, from her knees, threw home to Eagles' catcher Mackenzie Williams (Clyo, Ga.) to get Blosser and successfully complete the program's first triple play. 

Georgia Southern started slow again in Game 3 of the weekend series, falling behind 2-0.  In the bottom of the fifth, Andrea Tarashuk (Flemington, N.J.) got the Eagles rally started with a single to right center. Bethany Crenshaw (Warner Robins, Ga.) came in to pinch run for Tarashuk and stole second. Sara Hinchman (Douglasville, Ga.) hit a single to drive Crenshaw in for the score. 

The Eagles continued the rally in the sixth.  Kelly Burnett (Boynton Beach, Fla.) doubled to right field to start the inning.  Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Burnett to third.  Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.) hit a well-placed ball to first base for an out that brought Burnett in to tie the game.

Chattanooga would add three runs in the top of the 11th inning.  With a never-say-quit attitude, the Eagles attempted the comeback. Down 5-2 to the Lady Mocs, Iduate reached first on an error. Smith would retake the Southern Conference lead in home runs (12) with a two-run shot to left center with one out in the inning to bring the Eagles within one. A drive to left center was caught at the wall and a ground out ended Georgia Southern's final rally.

Georgia Southern returns to action on Tuesday for a doubleheader against sixth-ranked Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The Eagles were originally scheduled to play the Yellow Jackets in March, but the games were rained out.

Category: Softball

Published on Sunday, 11 April 2010 23:08