Eagles Take Doubleheader From Elon 3-2 And 14-9

STATESBORO, Ga. (Georgia Southern) - Georgia Southern swept Elon in a Southern Conference doubleheader Saturday, out-slugging the Phoenix for a 14-9 win in game two after junior Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) won game one with a walk-off RBI-single to give the Eagles a 3-2 victory.

The Eagles (26-23, 11-8 SoCon) knocked around Elon (33-16, 15-8 SoCon) pitchers for 20 hits in the second game, finishing five short of the single-game school record of 25 set against Savannah State on April 22, 2008. Seniors Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.) and Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.) led the offensive charge, combining to go 9-for-10 with four RBIs and six runs scored in game two.

Georgia Southern sent 17 batters to the plate in the first two innings, taking a commanding 9-2 lead, but Elon scored seven in the third to tie the game 9-9. Junior Brianna Streetmon (Winder, Ga.) came in to close the door, holding the Phoenix scoreless over the final 4.2 innings for her second win of the day.

Streetmon (17-9) also earned a complete game win in game one, finishing the day with 11.2 innings pitched. She held Elon to just two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and a walk in two outings.

Lauren Taylor (14-6) was charged with the loss for Elon in game two, throwing a split 5.0 innings, allowing 10 runs, seven earned, on 16 hits.

Iduate gave the Eagles an early lead in game one, lining a hit into left-centerfield for two RBIs in the bottom of the second. Elon scored a run in the top of the third and another in the top of the sixth to tie the game 2-2, forcing the Eagles to bat in the bottom of the seventh.

Freshman Tabby Douberley (Clyo, Ga.) led off the inning with her second walk of the day, and Iduate reached on an error laying down a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.) walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Smith's heroics. The junior delivered with a shot through the left side of the infield to take the 3-2 win.

Erin O'Shea (15-6) took the loss for Elon in game one, allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and five walks.

Iduate went 6-for-7 on the day, with three RBIs and three runs scored. After her single in the fourth inning was misplayed by the centerfielder and went to the fence, Iduate, junior Caitlin Hart (McDonough, Ga.) and sophomore Hanna Ennis (Snellville, Ga.) all scored. Side finished 5-for-8 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Senior Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) went 4-for-6 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. Douberley recorded her first career hit, going 2-for-5 with two walks and an RBI. Smith went 2-for-7 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

The Eagles will wrap up the series against Elon Sunday at 1 p.m. The Georgia Southern softball program will honors its seniors with a pregame ceremony scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m.

Sunday's game can be heard globally on www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com with announcers Drew Cheshire and Daniel Sallerson. Live Stats will be available HERE. Fans may also follow the score, posted every half inning, via Twitter at www.twitter.com/GSScores.

Category: Softball

Published on Saturday, 01 May 2010 19:11