ARLINGTON, TEXAS - The Georgia Southern softball team split swept UTA in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, improving to 15-14 overall, 5-3 in Sun Belt conference play. The Eagles dominated the Mavericks in game one, winning 11-3 in five innings after the mercy rule was implemented. The two teams played throughout regulation and into extra innings in game two, but the Mavericks were able to close out a ten-inning game by defeating GS 9-8. 

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GAME ONE: GS 11, UTA 3 (5 innings)
The Eagles got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Alesha Mann stepped up with bases loaded, knocking a two-run RBI and giving the Eagles a quick 2-0 lead. The Mavericks tied it up on an error and sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning, and extended that lead with another run in the third.

A five-run fourth inning was highlighted by sophomore Lydia Witkowski, who launched her second home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field to take back the lead. The Eagles continued to threaten throughout that inning, plating two more runners off of an error and another off of a bases-loaded walk, extending their lead to 7-3.

The Mavs continued to struggle in the fifth, committing three errors within the inning that allowed the Eagles to score four more runs. That's all the Eagles needed to finish out the game with an 11-3 victory.

Dixie Raley (W, 9-9) went the distance, allowing three runs on five hits. At the plate, Mekhia Freeman had three hits to lead the way while Emily Snider and Alesha Mann each had two.

GAME TWO: GS 9, UTA 8 (10 innings)
The Eagles scored early in game two, pushing a run across after an RBI-hit from Alesha Mann. The Mavericks responded in the bottom of the first, tying up the score at one after the first inning of play.  UTA capitalized in the third inning, scoring three runs which was highlighted by a two-RBI triple from Whitney Walton.

The Eagles responded in the top of the fifth, loading up the bases without an out. Andrea McKenzie hit an RBI-single to center field, and an error by the center fielder allowed the bases to clear while three runs scored, tying up the game. Alesha Mann then stepped up with McKenzie on third and knocked her first homerun of the season over the right-field fence, giving the Eagles a 6-4 lead.

A well-placed hit to right field by Bri Burchianti plated two runners and tied up the ballgame in the fifth inning, 6-6. The score remained tied until the top of the ninth inning when Andrea McKenzie stepped into the box and knocked a two-run homerun for the Eagles, her first of the season. The Mavericks responded to the GS lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring a run early and then putting runners on second and third after a fielding error. The Mavericks were then able to push across the second run of the inning, tying the ballgame at eight and sending it to the tenth. 

Mallory Foster was the difference maker in the tenth inning, knocking a triple to the left field wall with only one out. Aileen Garcia then laid a bunt down, scoring Foster and clenching a 9-8 victory.  

Kierra Camp got the start for GS, giving up ten hits and six runs throughout five innings of work. Dixie Raley (L, 9-10) was tabbed with the loss after coming in the sixth inning and finishing out the game, throwing five innings in relief.

UP NEXT:
The two teams will wrap up the series with the rubber game on Sunday starting at 12 p.m. Central (1 p.m. ET).


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