Softball Splits Saturday's Doubleheader with Furman
5/2/2009 9:25:00 PM | Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern softball team (24-23, 13-10) split Saturday's doubleheader with Furman (21-26, 11-11) in a tale of two third innings. The Paladins took game one 3-1 after scoring all three runs in the third inning. The Eagles scored four of their five runs in the third to win game two 5-3.
Game One
A three-run third inning proved key in the Eagles' 3-1 loss in game one.
Brianna Streetmon (Winder, Ga.) pitched well and did not allow a run outside of the third inning. The sophomore pitcher allowed only four hits and one earned run but was the hard luck loser in game one.
Robyne Siliga (Oceanside, Calif.) and Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.) both had multi-hit games with two hits each.
After allowing only one base runner in the first two innings, Streetmon got into trouble in the third inning. Jessie Homesley was hit by a pitch and moved to second on Katie Michaels' base hit. The Eagles cut the lead runner down at third on a fielder's choice and were in position to do so again on Abby Roberstson's grounder to the pitcher, but a fielding error loaded the bases. Stephanie Cushing plated two of the runners with a triple before Field was gunned down at the plate. Morgan Hughey drove in the third run of the inning with a base hit to center.
Streetmon retired the side in order in the next three innings, keeping the Paladins in check.
Siliga showed off her wheels picking up an infield single with one out in the sixth inning. Amanda Hall (Haddock, Ga.) moved her to second with a base knock to left. Siliga tagged up and moved to third on Sam Russo's (Snellville, Ga.) fly out to right, putting runners on the corners with two outs. Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) had a long at-bat but popped up for the final out of the inning.
The Eagles attempted a seventh inning rally and scored a run on an error and two hits. Hanna Ennis (Snellville, Ga.) singled with one out and reached third on Iduate's bloop double to left. A fielding error on a ground ball hit by Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.) plated Ennis. Siliga was caught looking at the plate for the final out of the game.
Game Two
The Eagles rebounded in game two and won 5-3 to split Saturday's doubleheader.
GSU scored four runs in the third inning to take a 4-1 lead in game two. Iduate led off with a base hit past the diving glove of the second baseman and advanced to second on a fielding error. Siliga plated both runners with a double off the outstretched glove of Termini. Hall drove in Siliga with a single. Smith kept the rally going with a one-out double plating Hall.
The Eagles added another run in the fourth inning. Ennis led off with a base hit. Iduate singled through right side. Ennis took third on the play, and Iduate moved into second on the throw to third. Fogle hit a ground ball to first on a squeeze play at the plate, and both runners were safe.
Kristan Glover (Evans, Ga.) got the start and pitched four plus innings, allowing three runs on eight hits in her seventh win of the season. Smith earned her fourth save of the season, allowing no hits in almost three innings.
The Paladins cut the lead to two, scoring a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Kate Michaels singled and advanced to second on a base hit by Abby Robertson. Cushing added the third straight single, loading the bases. Morgan Hughey doubled to center, plating two runs. Smith came on in relief and got two quick outs to end the inning.
Furman got on the board first scoring a run on a hard chopper over the head of Siliga in the second inning. Kate Termini started the two- out rally with a base hit that just dropped in down the first base line. Meredith Mielke followed with a base hit to right before Katie Michaels walked to load the bases. Stephanie Field drove in the lone run with a RBI base hit.
The Eagles threatened to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. Smith singled with one out but was retired on a fielder's choice. Ennis singled moving Mackenzie Williams (Baxley, Ga.) to second, but Michelle Beasley (Metter, Ga.) fouled out to end the threat.
The Furman series continues tomorrow at 1 p.m. inside the confines of Eagle Field.
