Eagles Soar in Second Game for Split Against Mount St. Mary's
3/11/2011 1:31:00 AM | Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. - A relaxed Georgia Southern Eagle softball team scored seven runs in the first inning to take a 10-1 win in the doubleheader final against Mount St. Mary's on Thursday (March 11th) at Eagle Field. Georgia Southern fell in game one to the Mount, 4-2, but posted a season-high in scoring the first inning in game two en route to a run-rule victory. Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) took the pitching victory and drove in three runs with a double in the first inning.
"In between the games we told the girls to relax and enjoy playing the game," said head coach Maggie Johnson. "The team responded with the best inning of the year at the plate to take control of the game. It's amazing how well this team can play when the pressure is off. A win like this was just what we were looking for going into conference play this weekend."
Georgia Southern's (8-14) big victory had an inauspicious start when the Mount (4-3) worked leadoff hitter, Taylor Beebe, who reached on a double, scored with two outs in the first inning.
The Eagles' big first inning came to life when Smith cleared the bases with a bases-loaded double with only one out to bring home Mackenzie Williams (Baxley, Ga.), Andrea Tarashuk (Flemington, N.J.) and Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.). The bases were loaded again for senior Bethany Crenshaw (Warner Robins, Ga.) who smashed a two-RBI double down the left field line for her first career extra-base hit.
The final two runs of the inning came across when designated player and leadoff batter Shelby Morrill (Madison, Ga.) singled to the pitcher before an errant throw sailed over the first baseman's head. Alexa Lewis (Lawrenceville, Ga.) scored on the single and Crenshaw came across on the error. The Eagles scored the seven runs off five hits and two errors.
An RBI double in the second inning by Tabby Douberley (Clyo, Ga.) brought Williams in to score following a leadoff double. A third double in the inning by Lewis brought Doublerley in to score and give Georgia Southern a 9-1 lead. Georgia Southern tacked on an insurance run in the third with a sacrifice fly by Tarashuk to bring Fogle home for a 10-1 lead. The Eagles notched a season-high six doubles in the game.
Smith went the first three innings to take the victory in the circle for her first win of the year. She scattered three hits and struck out two batters. Freshman Sarah Purvis (Warner Robins, Ga.) went the final two innings and allowed one hit while striking out three.
In the opening game of the day, Mount St. Mary's took advantage of two Eagle errors in the first inning to go up 1-0. Georgia Southern leveled the score in the fourth inning when Morrill's double plated Jorie Walker (Dublin, Ga.) in to. The Mount took the lead, 3-1 with two outs in the fifth scoring runs on consecutive hit by pitches off Eagle starting pitcher Brianna Streetmon (Winder, Ga.). Freshman Allie Miles (Dacula, Ga.) relieved Streetmon to record the final out of the inning.
Georgia Southern cut the lead to 3-2 when Morrill notched her second RBI of the game allowing Walker to cross home plate. The Mount's Courtney Zingle, however, extended the lead to 4-2 in the top of the seventh with her home run to left center. The Eagles got a leadoff single to start the seventh from Williams, but left the junior catcher stranded.
Appalachian State comes to Statesboro to open Southern Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Field. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday followed by a Sunday finale at 1 p.m.
Fans may follow all the action of the 2011 Georgia Southern Softball season by visiting GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/softball or check in for scores at twitter.com/GSScores or facebook.com/GSAthletics for updates. Live stats and video are available at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.
