SAVANNAH, Ga. – Tori Richter’s bases-loaded RBI single up the middle in extra innings gave the Pirates the 5-4 victory and a split of doubleheader action against visiting Peach Belt Conference foe Lander on Saturday afternoon.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-10-07
College Softball: AASU 4-5 (8 inn.), Lander 5 (8 inn.)-4
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Tori Richter’s bases-loaded RBI single up the middle in extra innings gave the Pirates the 5-4 victory and a split of doubleheader action against visiting Peach Belt Conference foe Lander on Saturday afternoon.
The Pirates (1-1, 1-1 PBC) fell to the Bearcats (6-2, 1-1 PBC) in the first game, 5-4, in eight innings as Brittany Wallace launched two home runs lead Lander to the victory. Daisy Stewart added a homerun of her own to aid the Bearcats scoring.
In the second game, the Bearcats scored quickly as Ashlea Burdette knocked an RBI single up the middle in the top of the first inning to plate Natalie Smith from third base. The Pirates’ Kari Marisco responded with a first-pitch solo homerun in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 1-1.
Lander plated one run in the top of the fourth with a RBI double from Leigh Ann Kelley. A solo homerun to centerfield by Megan Lowe and a passed ball that scored Lib Harris from third gave the Bearcats a seemingly comfortable 4-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning.
Armstrong Atlantic placed runners on the corners with singles from Nicole Huddleston and Jessica Strong in the bottom of the seventh inning. AASU then turned to Marisco, and she sent the game into extra innings with a booming three run shot to leftfield to tie the game at 4-4. Two singles from Ashley Bain and Rachel Koenig-Eng and a fielder’s choice loaded the bases, setting the stage for Richter’s game-winning hit.
Nicole Huddleston (1-0) pitched two and a third innings in relief, giving up two hits, walking two and striking out five to record her first win of the season for the Pirates. Lander’s Austin Murray (2-1) pitched three and a third innings giving up seven hits, walking one and striking out one to record the loss in game two.
In the first game, Wallace (3-1) struck out seven, walked eight and allowed five hits in eight innings to tally the win. AASU’s Jessica Waters (0-1) walked two and gave up 10 hits in eight innings of work to take the loss.
The Bearcats are on the field next at Presbyterian on Monday February 12, at 3:00 p.m. The Pirates return to action in Valdosta on Tuesday, February 13 at 5 p.m. against the Blazers.
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