Softball Eliminated from NCAA Tournament with 2-1 Loss in Nine Innings
5/19/2013 1:24:00 AM | Softball
POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE | HIGHLIGHTS OF GSU'S WIN OVER HAMPTON
GAINESVILLE, FLA. – Georgia Southern's run through the NCAA Tournament came to an end on Saturday evening as the Eagles fell 2-1 to Big East Conference Champion USF in the second day of the Gainesville Regional. The Eagles staved off elimination earlier in the day with a perfect game in the pitching circle from Sarah Purvis to trump Hampton. The Eagles got down early, but scored an equalizing run in the sixth. USF pushed one across in the ninth off a throwing error and held on to take the win.
"I keep telling the team that as long as we have a pitch, we have a chance and we showed that by how hard we fought," said Head Coach Annie Smith. "Both Brooke (Red) and Sarah (Purvis) pitched great for us. I'd like to thank the seniors for their hard work for this team over the years."
Georgia Southern falls to 32-30 on the season while USF improves to 45-15. The Eagles had their chances, stranding 10 runners on base and turning a pair of double plays. GSU left the bases full of Eagles in the bottom of the eighth, just a half inning before the Bulls posted their winning run.
After both teams went quietly in the first inning, USF bounced a single up the middle and got her around to third with a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt. The Bulls cashed in that runner from third base when a wild pitch sailed over the catcher's head, allowing Kourtney Salvarola to score from third and give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles drew even in the sixth inning when GSU capitalized on a leadoff triple by Alexa Lewis. The senior extended her career at the plate by at least one more trip with the three-bagger to the gap in right. She came home later in the inning on a Shelby Morrill RBI single. The Eagles would load the bases later in the frame, but were unable to push any more runs across as the score remained level at 1-1.
Georgia Southern had a golden opportunity in the eighth, loading the bases with one out with back-to-back walks and a hit batter. A strikeout and a 4-3 ground out ended the Eagle threat as the game went to the 9th frame.
A single by Dani Wyatt turned into trouble after a wild pitch advanced her to second. With two outs, Wyatt stole third and a wild throw to third went into left field. She rounded third and headed for home, scoring as the throw back to the plate was high and not in time. That run gave the Bulls a 2-1 lead with the Eagles coming to the plate in the 9th.
Three-straight strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth ended the Eagles' season as USF took the 2-1 victory to eliminate Georgia Southern from the Gainesville Regional.
Brooke Red got the start and held the Bulls to just one run through 4.2 innings of work. She walked two and scattered five hits in the game, earning a no decision. Sarah Purvis came on in relief in the fifth, pitching the final 4.1 innings and not allowing an earned run. She took the loss and falls to 18-16 on the year. She also finishes the season without allowing an earned run in her final 29.1 innings of work in the season.
The loss ends the careers of Lewis, Douberley and Tarashuk. Two of the seniors, Douberley and Tarashuk, graduated from Georgia Southern last week and Lewis is set to walk after the fall semester.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics, and its new "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS.
