Softball Takes Series from Samford
4/5/2009 4:12:00 AM | Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern softball team (17-16, 7-5) picked up their second conference series win behind Brianna Streetmon's (Winder, Ga.) second shutout in as many days. The Eagles used a two-run first inning to take the rubber game from Samford (11-19, 5-10) 3-0.
“Before the game we discussed that we needed to treat this like a championship game. We needed to come out and find a way to win the series. I was proud of them for coming out and winning after the loss yesterday,” said head coach Maggie Johnson.
Streetmon mirrored her pitching performance from game one of the series, throwing a complete game four-hit shutout Sunday. The sophomore pitcher earned her 10th win with her third shutout of the season.
“When we put her out there we know that she will be consistent,” said Johnson. “She is tough to hit with her curveball.”
The Eagles came out swinging, scoring two two-out runs on three hits in the first inning. Robyne Siliga (Oceanside, Calif.) reached on an error and advanced to third on Amanda Hall's (Haddock, Ga.) fielder's choice. Siliga scored on a wild pitch that got away from the catcher. Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) plated Hall with a RBI double that dropped in under the glove of the right fielder Rachael Reeves. Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) singled and Hanna Ennis (Snellville, Ga.) walked to load the bases for Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.). Amanda Barrs was able to coax a pop up from Side to end the inning.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the fourth on one hit. Barrs led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on the sacrifice bunt by Aaren Fisher. Amy Gonzalez reached on an error by Siliga. Robyn Harmon singled to center, but a strong throw by Hall held the runner at third. Streetmon caught Rachael Reeves looking for the second out of the inning and coaxed a ground ball from Amanda Jordan to end the threat.
Samford had a runner reach third base in the fifth inning after Katie England's sacrifice bunt, but Streetmon kept the runner at bay by getting a ground ball to end the inning.
Russo led off the sixth inning with a home run that just stayed fair down the third base line, giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead. The junior first baseman went three for three with the home run. “She is one of the best at making adjustments from swing to swing. She did that all day long and got the job done,” said Johnson. Michelle Beasley (Metter, Ga.) kept the inning alive, after two outs were recorded, with a stand up triple to right. Beasley laced the ball over the head of the right fielder for her first hit of the game.
The Bulldogs used a pair of sacrifice bunts to put runners on second and third in the sixth inning, but Streetmon shut Samford down coaxing a ground out from Amanda Jordan.
The Bulldogs did not go down without a fight in the seventh inning. Kristy Lawrence led off with an infield base hit but was thrown out on a fielder's choice when Kylie Harmon hit the ball back to Streetmon. Amanda Barrs kept the inning alive with a two-out base hit but was also thrown out on an inning-ending fielder's choice.
Softball hits the road for three games against Elon Friday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at East Field.
