Softball Loses Two at GSU Invitational
2/15/2008 5:10:00 AM | Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. ? A two-out four-run rally in the top of the seventh was not enough for the Eagles to overcome a five-run deficit to the Gamecocks in game one of the Georgia Southern Invitational Friday morning. Georgia Southern falls to 3-4 on the season, while Jacksonville State improves to 3-2 with the win.
Game 1: Jacksonville State 9, Georgia Southern 8
Georgia Southern jumped out to a four-run lead through two innings. Lindsey Hopkins led off the game in the first with a double to left field and scored on a single to center by Nina Iduate. Single RBI from Hopkins and Iduate pushed the lead to a 3-0, and the fourth score came via error.
The Gamecocks answered the Eagles' three-run second with two runs coming from a fielder's choice RBI from Mary Beth Ledbetter and a sacrifice fly from Rachel Fleming. JSU tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the third on a RBI double from Whitney Elder and a run-scoring single by Chrissy O'Neal.
Jacksonville State took the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a single run and provided the final margin with a grand slam in the sixth. Allie Barker launched a two-out grand slam over the left field wall to give Jacksonville State a 9-4 margin.
The Eagles rallied in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs. Amanda Hall singled home a run and an infield single by Hopkins followed by a throwing error cleared the bases. But JSU's Ashley Eliasson retired the final batter to preserve the win.
Hopkins and Amanda Hall both went 3-for-4 at the plate.
Eliasson earned the win in relief while GSU starter Megen Smith took the loss (1-1).
Game 2: Campbell 4, Georgia Southern 1
In their second game of the day, the Georgia Southern Eagles fell to the Campbell Camels, 4-1. The Eagles drop to 3-5 on the season, while the Camels improved to 3-1.
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Amanda Hall singled through the left side. Consecutive singles from Michelle Beasley and Aubrey Thweatt scored Hall.
Following two scoreless innings, the Camels evened the score at 1-1 when Courtney Quinn doubled to right center field. Amanda Littlejohn drove Quinn home on a single.
A lead-off home run by pitcher Brittany Stanley gave Campbell a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth.
The Eagles had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth with Megen Smith in scoring position and two outs. Smith doubled to center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hall. But after a walk, Smith was stranded as the pitcher induced a groundout.
Two walks and a double by Littlejohn loaded the bases for the Camels in the top of the seventh. Amanda Miller hit a two-out double to right center, scoring Katie Hinton and pinch runner Katie Woodcock.
Amanda Hall went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored the lone run.
The Eagles continue play tomorrow against Alabama State at 1 p.m.
