Eagles Sweep Day 2 at UCF Tournament
3/7/2010 4:28:00 AM | Softball
ORLANDO, Fla. – Georgia Southern (10-6) swept Day 2 of the UCF Tournament with a 4-2 victory over fellow Southern Conference member College of Charleston and a 3-2 victory over Boston College.
In the early game, Georgia Southern opened the game with a single from Lowes Senior CLASS Award nominee Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.). She then picked up her seventh steal of the season, swiping second base. Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.) hit an infield single to the shortstop, advancing Iduate to third. Fogle then stole second, her sixth of the season, however, as Cougars catcher Amanda Maurer threw to second to get Fogle, Iduate stole home, her eighth of the season. As College of Charleston then tried to get Iduate at home, Fogle stole third, her seventh. Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) reached base courtesy of a walk. Smith then stole second base, her third of the season. Jenny Side's fielders choice, allowed Fogle to score. The Eagles would end the inning scoring two runs.
College of Charleston chipped away at the Eagles lead by scoring a run in the first and fourth off Eagle pitcher Smith, however, she would pick up the decision. She improved to 4-4 on the season. Smith pitched four innings, giving up only two hits and striking our four more batters to bring her season total to 34 strikeouts.
In the top of the fifth inning, Georgia Southern broke open the game. With two outs in the inning, Iduate hit an inside the park home run. The home run was Iduate's first home run of her illustrious career as an Eagle. Fogle followed Iduate's home run with a solo shot of her own. Kaitlynn Szczepanski (Chesapeake, Va.) came in to pitch for the Eagles in the bottom half of the fifth. Szczepanski pitched three innings of scoreless ball, allowing only three hits while striking out three. She earned her first career save as an Eagle.
In the nightcap, Georgia Southern faced off against Boston College. Georgia Southern once again struck first off a throwing error by Boston College catcher Brittany Wilkins, which allowed Iduate to score from second base. Boston College answered in the top of the sixth inning, taking a 2-1 lead.
However, Georgia Southern had an answer and more. Smith would hit a blast to right field to tie the game. After Boston College went quietly in the top of the seventh, the Eagles went back to work in the bottom half of the seventh. Iduate singled down the left field line and advanced to second on a throwing error by BC left fielder Maria Pandolfo. Fogle singled to center, allowing Iduate to advance to third. An intentional walk to Smith, loaded the bases for the Eagles with one out. Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) would deliver with a game- winning single to center, driving in the Iduate and giving the Georgia Southern Eagles a 3-2 win over Boston College.
Georgia Southern plays for the UCF Tournament championship against host, University of Central Florida, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
