GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro scored an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh and had the tying run in scoring position, but could not complete the comeback, falling to Georgia Southern by a 2-1 count Sunday in the finale of the three-game Southern Conference series.
The Eagles' Megen Smith hit a pair of solo home runs that would prove to be the only offense GSU (13-9, 2-1 SoCon) would need.
With UNCG (8-13, 1-2 SoCon) trailing 2-0 heading into the seventh, pinch-hitter Katie Stripling got things going with an infield single to shortstop. Emily Akiyama followed with a double to the gap in left center, but Stripling was thrown out at the plate on the play.
One out later, April Langley reached on an error that allowed Akiyama to score UNCG's only run of the day. Laura Olenderski was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second with two down, but GSU starter Brianna Streetmon got a liner to third off the bat of Brittany Ausley – with third baseman Jenny Side making a leaping, snowcone grab – to end the game.
The Eagles jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the damage would have been worse if not for some head's up defensive play. After Nina Iduate drew a leadoff walk, Alex Emeterio charged in hard and caught Kelly Burnett's popped-up sacrifice attempt, then wheeled around and threw back to first to double off Iduate.
Smith then sent the very next pitch out to dead center, putting the Eagles up 1-0.
Smith made it a 2-0 game in the top of the fourth, hitting a leadoff homer out to left center. That would prove to be the last of GSU's three hits on the day, but it was enough.
Akiyama finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored to lead UNCG, while Smith was 2-for-3 with two homers and two RBI for GSU.
Streetmon improved to 8-3 on the season, allowing one run on five hits and a walk and striking out four.
UNCG starter Cory Mattson, the reigning SoCon Pitcher of the Week, saw her four-game winning streak come to an end, as she fell to 5-5 on the season. She allowed two runs on just three hits and a walk in 4 innings of work.
Mattson worked an impressive third inning, retiring the side on just three pitches. All three outs were to Ausley in left field.
Amber Harrell worked 3 innings of hitless relief to end the game.
UNCG returns to action on Thursday when its hosts No. 23 North Carolina for a single game starting at 5 p.m.
AGATE
Georgia Southern 2, UNC Greensboro 1 (Mar 14, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.)
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Georgia Southern.... 100 100 0 - 2 3 2 (13-9, 2-1 SoCon)
UNC Greensboro...... 000 000 1 - 1 5 0 (8-13, 1-2 SoCon)
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Pitchers: Georgia Southern - Brianna Streetmon and Mackenzie Williams. UNC Greensboro - Cory Mattson; Amber Harrell(5) and Whitney Sirois.
Win-Brianna Streetmon(8-3) Loss-Cory Mattson(5-5) T-1:38 A-75
HR GSU - Megen Smith 2.
Weather: 55 degrees, fair
Game: UNCG314
- UNCG -
