STATESBORO, GA – Georgia Southern used a pair of big innings Sunday to take an 8-2 victory over UNC Greensboro and win the season series.
The Spartans' first run came in the fourth inning, when Brittany Ausley singled to lead off the inning and Alex Emeterio brought her in with an RBI double to left center.
By that point, however, UNCG (19-24, 7-8 Southern Conference) was down 4-1 after the Eagles (22-19, 11-7 SoCon) scored four runs in the second inning. Megen Smith got things going with a one-out solo home run, and after a Hanna Ennis walk, Jenny Side doubled in GSU's second run. A wild pitch and a Marie Fogle single up the middle made it 3-0, and after Fogle stole second, Nina Iduata brought her in with a single to center.
Georgia Southern blew it open in the bottom of the fourth, answering UNCG's run with three of its own. Fogle and Iduata led off the inning with consecutive singles, but Cory Mattson induced a pair of fielder's choices to nail the lead runner at third both times. The Spartans were one strike from escaping with no damage done, but Sam Russo hit a 1-2 pitch out to left for a three-run homer and a 7-1 lead.
The Spartans got a run back in the top of the fifth, but the rally stopped there. The inning started out promisingly, with Whitney Miller singling through the left side and moving to second on a passed ball. Kristen Gabel and Kayla Hensley sandwiched walks around an infield fly to load the bases, and Ausley's sacrifice fly scored Miller with UNCG's second run. The Eagles would get out of the jam, though, catching Gabel between second and third to end the inning.
Georgia Southern tacked on another run in the fifth on Robyne Siliga's bases-loaded sac fly, which scored Stephanie Peet.
UNCG made some noise in the top of the seventh, but couldn't push a run across. Lyndsay Mouse led off with a double down the left field line and moved to third on Miller's flyout. A Gabel walk put runners on the corners with one out, but Smith got a flyout and a strikeout to end the game.
Hannah Angel (11-10) took the loss for the Spartans, one day after one-hitting the Eagles. GSU tagged Angel for four runs on five hits in 1.2 innings on Sunday.
Streetmon (13-6) avenged her 1-0 loss Saturday with another strong outing, allowing just one run on three hits in four innings. Smith picked up her third save of the season, allowing one run on two hits in three innings.
Ausley, Emeterio, Mouse, Miller and Mary Catherine Vercoe accounted for UNCG's five hits, while Fogle was 3-for-4 to lead the Eagles. Iduate, Smith and Russo had two hits each.
The squads split Saturday's doubleheader, giving GSU the 2-1 series win.
UNCG returns to action on Wednesday for a doubleheader at East Carolina starting at 3 p.m.
AGATE
Georgia Southern 8, UNC Greensboro 2 (Apr 19, 2009 at Statesboro, Ga.)
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UNC Greensboro...... 000 110 0 - 2 5 3 (19-24, 7-8 SoCon)
Georgia Southern.... 040 310 X - 8 10 0 (22-19, 11-7 SoCon)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Hannah Angel; Cory Mattson(2); Amber Harrell(5) and Leslie Furness.
Georgia Southern - Brianna Streetmon; Megen Smith(5) and Jenny Side.
Win-Brianna Streetmon(13-6) Save-Megen Smith(3) Loss-Hannah Angel(11-10) T-2:03 A-117
HR GSU - Sam Russo (7); Megen Smith (2).
Weather: Clear, 70 degrees
- UNCG -
