STATESBORO, GA – Georgia Southern avoided being swept by UNC Greensboro with a 1-0 win over the Spartans in Southern Conference softball action at Eagle Field on Sunday afternoon. UNCG picked up their first SoCon series win by taking 1-0 and 2-0 wins over the Eagles in doubleheader action on Saturday.
Georgia Southern (22-26, 7-7 SoCon) pushed their only run across home plate in the second inning. Jenny Side opened the inning with a double to right center. She advanced to third base on a sacrifice from teammate Sam Russo and was plated on the next play with a RBI single from Katie Smith. The Eagles were able to get another runner on base when Michelle Beasley hit a single left field but UNCG pitcher Vanessa Oakes ended the threat with two strikeouts to end the inning.
UNCG (25-31, 5-10 SoCon) tired to respond in the top of the third. GSU pitcher walked Lyndsey Wilson to start the inning. Wilson advanced to second with a stolen base and moved to third base when Mary Greenway grounded out to the shortstop. The Spartans couldn't manage to plate Wilson and ended the inning when Adriane Audley struck out.
Georgia Southern tried to add to their tally in the third and started the inning with a leadoff double from Heather Smith. She advanced to third with a sacrifice bunt but the inning ended with a fly out and a pop out. UNCG again had an opportunity for a run in the fourth inning. With two outs and Brandi Schnute on first base, Kara Clouser hit a single through right side and advanced Schnute to second base but the inning ended with a strikeout from Brittany Ausley.
Vanessa Oakes (10-10) suffered the loss after allowing one run on five hits. She tallied 11 strikeouts and issued no walks. The Spartans were held to one hit and were led by Clouser who went 1-for-3 from the plate.
The Spartans are next in action April 28-29 when they host College of Charleston in their final home Southern Conference series of the season. Saturday's action will be a doubleheader with the first pitch scheduled for 1 pm. UNCG will honor seniors Adriane Audley, Jennifer Bonilla, Heather Branche, Kara Clouser, Koury Duncan and Vanessa Oakes prior to Sunday's series finale.
AGATE
GAME ONE
UNCG................ 000 000 0 - 0 1 0
Georgia Southern.... 010 000 X - 1 5 0
LOB - Spartans 4; Eagles 4. 2B - H. Smith(8); Side(5). SH - Laurato(6); Russo(2). SB - Wilson.
Win - Free (8-11). Loss - Oakes (10-10). Save - None. Umpires - HP: Dennis Stanford 1B: Larry McCaden 3B: Billy Mortinson Start: 12:55 pm Time: 1:32 Attendance: 101
- UNCG -
