For video of UNCG coach Jennifer Herzig's postgame comments, click here.
For video of UNCG pitcher Cory Mattson's postgame comments, click here.
STATESBORO, Ga. – Junior pitcher Cory Mattson threw a three-hit gem as sixth-seeded UNCG pulled off a 2-0 upset over No. 3 seed and tournament host Georgia Southern at the Southern Conference Softball Championship on Wednesday.
UNCG (25-30) moves on to face No. 7 seed Samford in the winners' bracket on Thursday at 5 p.m. Samford upset No. 2 seed Appalachian State earlier in the day.
The Spartans scored the only run Mattson would need with an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning. Aisha Figueroa got things going with UNCG's first hit of the afternoon, an infield single with one out. Figueroa stole second and Alex Emeterio reached on catcher's interference, but GSU (28-28) got another out on a fielder's choice. Jordan Jewett then hit a grounder to short and the throw to first appeared to beat her, but the Eagle first baseman couldn't hold on, allowing Figueroa to score from third.
UNCG added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, as Kaitlin Merkt and Jewett led off with back-to-back hits and Heather Robb and Kristen Gabel drew two-out walks to bring in pinch-runner Ashley Reetz.
But it was Mattson (13-13) who was unquestionably the star of the game, as she worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth inning to keep the Eagles off the board.
Kelly Burnett got the frame going with a bloop single down the left field line, then went to second on a UNCG error. Kayla Brooks followed with a walk, and the Eagles loaded the bases when UNCG was unable to get Burnett at third on a fielder's choice.
Mattson struck out pinch-hitter Tabby Douberley for the first out, then got a pair of fielder's choices to escape unscathed.
GSU had another solid scoring chance in the sixth, but Mattson was again up to the challenge. After striking out the first two batters of the frame, Mattson walked Mackenzie Williams. A UNCG error prolonged the inning and put runners at second and third, but Mattson got Brooks to ground out to end the inning.
After UNCG added its insurance run in the seventh, Mattson put down the Eagles in order in the bottom half to lock up the win.
Figueroa, Merkt, Robb and Jewett had UNCG's four hits on the day.
Mattson struck out five and walked just three in the shutout. Brianna Streetmon (11-13) took the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in six-plus innings of work. SoCon Freshman of the Year Allie Miles worked the final inning, walking two and striking out two.
The win marks the second straight year that UNCG has won its first game of the tournament.
UNCG swept a three-game series from Samford on April 30-May 1.
AGATE
UNCG 2, Georgia Southern 0 (May 11, 2011 at Statesboro, Ga.)
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UNCG................ 000 100 1 - 2 4 2 (25-30)
Georgia Southern.... 000 000 0 - 0 3 2 (28-28)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Cory Mattson. Georgia Southern - Brianna Streetmon; Allie Miles(7).
Win-Cory Mattson(13-13) Loss-Brianna Streetmon(11-13) T-1:43 A-0
Streetmon faced 2 batters in the 7th.
- UNCG -
