Softball's Bats Awaken to Split with App State
4/26/2008 4:04:00 AM | Softball
BOONE, N.C. --- Georgia Southern rebounded from a 1-0, 10-inning loss in game one to erupt for nine runs in game two to split with Appalachian State Saturday at the ASU Softball Stadium.
The 9-1 win in the nightcap improves GSU's record to 31-27 overall and 10-7 in the Southern Conference. ASU falls to 10-34 and 6-9.
“I thought we came out ready to hit today,” said GSU head coach Natalie Poole. “We didn't do a poor job of getting on ? we left 11 runners on base ? we just didn't capitalize when we had runners in scoring position. We didn't make adjustments at the plate; we had nine or so grounders to third base and I think nine or 10 popups and that's not working for us. We've shown that tendency before so we need to get the ball away from third base.
The Mountaineers' Kayla Richardson (6-16) held the Eagles to just five hits in 10 innings to win the opener. She walked three and struck out three and stranded runners in every inning but two.
The two Georgia Southern pitchers, senior Melissa Laliberte (Cobourg, Ontario, Canada) and freshman Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) did not allow an earned run combined in 15.1 innings of work. Laliberte (14-11) took the loss in game one after giving up four hits with 10 strikeouts while Smith (12-8) allowed six hits and did not walk a batter in six innings.
“I thought that both of them did an outstanding job of giving us an opportunity to win,” said Poole. “I feel like where we didn't get the job done was at the plate. But by far our pitchers did a great job. Either one, I would feel confident in throwing them tomorrow.”
After 9 ½ innings of zeroes, Appalachian State scored its lone run on an error. With runners on the corners Sarah Rappe stole second and when the throw went into center field, Tiffany Hensley scored.
It took until the third inning of game two before GSU finally dented the scoreboard on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.).
App State answered with an unearned run in its half of the third but the Eagles exploded for six runs on only four in the fourth. Smith and junior Amanda Hall (Haddock, Ga.) each had two-RBI hits. Side added a two-run homer, her 13th of the season, in the sixth.
Senior Aubrey Thweatt (Georgia, Vt.) scored on Side's homer and in the fourth thanks to her 3-for-4 performance at the plate.
“It definitely makes a difference when she gets on because it gets us rolling,” said Poole.
ASU's Yancy Moose (3-13) went 3.1 innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on two hits.
The three-game series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m.
The 9-1 win in the nightcap improves GSU's record to 31-27 overall and 10-7 in the Southern Conference. ASU falls to 10-34 and 6-9.
“I thought we came out ready to hit today,” said GSU head coach Natalie Poole. “We didn't do a poor job of getting on ? we left 11 runners on base ? we just didn't capitalize when we had runners in scoring position. We didn't make adjustments at the plate; we had nine or so grounders to third base and I think nine or 10 popups and that's not working for us. We've shown that tendency before so we need to get the ball away from third base.
The Mountaineers' Kayla Richardson (6-16) held the Eagles to just five hits in 10 innings to win the opener. She walked three and struck out three and stranded runners in every inning but two.
The two Georgia Southern pitchers, senior Melissa Laliberte (Cobourg, Ontario, Canada) and freshman Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) did not allow an earned run combined in 15.1 innings of work. Laliberte (14-11) took the loss in game one after giving up four hits with 10 strikeouts while Smith (12-8) allowed six hits and did not walk a batter in six innings.
“I thought that both of them did an outstanding job of giving us an opportunity to win,” said Poole. “I feel like where we didn't get the job done was at the plate. But by far our pitchers did a great job. Either one, I would feel confident in throwing them tomorrow.”
After 9 ½ innings of zeroes, Appalachian State scored its lone run on an error. With runners on the corners Sarah Rappe stole second and when the throw went into center field, Tiffany Hensley scored.
It took until the third inning of game two before GSU finally dented the scoreboard on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.).
App State answered with an unearned run in its half of the third but the Eagles exploded for six runs on only four in the fourth. Smith and junior Amanda Hall (Haddock, Ga.) each had two-RBI hits. Side added a two-run homer, her 13th of the season, in the sixth.
Senior Aubrey Thweatt (Georgia, Vt.) scored on Side's homer and in the fourth thanks to her 3-for-4 performance at the plate.
“It definitely makes a difference when she gets on because it gets us rolling,” said Poole.
ASU's Yancy Moose (3-13) went 3.1 innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on two hits.
The three-game series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m.
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