HIGHLIGHTS:•
Alesha Mann hit her second home run in as many games
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A.J. Hamilton recorded her second triple of the year
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Dixie Raley tallied nine strikeouts in the win
STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern softball team opened play at the Eagle Classic Friday, rolling past North Dakota 8-1 behind a one-hitter from freshman pitcher
Dixie Raley.
After two scoreless frames, the Eagles finally got on the board in the third inning when
Alesha Mann blasted a solo home run to center field to lead off the stanza. It was the sophomore's second home run in as many games.
The Fighting Hawks got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when Shelby Hard hit a solo home run, her fourth of the season and second of the day. The sophomore had 15 round trippers a year ago for UND. That would be the only hit for the visitors.
In the bottom of the fourth inning,
Morgan Robinson drew a walk and was pinch ran for by
Haley Carter. After Carter stole second base, she scored on
A.J. Hamilton's triple down the right field line.
Rowan McGuire then drove her in with a single through the right side to make it 3-1.
Robinson made it 4-1 with a solo home run to right-center field in the fifth inning, her second of the season. In the sixth inning, the Eagles broke loose for four runs as
Taylor Rogers drove in two runs and then
Emily Snider drove in two more with a double.
Raley (W, 7-3) had another impressive performance in the circle. The freshman went the distance, allowing one run on the one hit with three walks and nine strikeouts.
At the plate, Hamilton led the way with three hits while Mann and Snider each had two hits.
Lydia Witkowski, Rogers, Robinson and McGuire each had one.
In the other game of the day, North Dakota downed Eastern Kentucky 2-0 on a two-run home run from Hard.
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, taking on UND again (2:30 p.m.) and Harvard (4:45 p.m.). Both games will be streamed live on GS All-Access for a fee.
SMITH SAYS:"I was really happy how we played, with great energy. We came out in the beginning of the game and Dixie had a bunch of strikeouts early in the game to set the tone and our hitters made some great adjustments. I was happy coming out and opening at home in such a big win."
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