Georgia Southwestern split a doubleheader at Albany State on
Monday afternoon; the Lady Canes took the first game 9-3 and
dropped the nightcap 3-2.
In game one, Katie Wooten hit two home runs to lead GSW to the
9-3 win.
The Lady Rams took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the first
inning on a Deanna Birdsong RBI double.
Southwestern answered with a run in the second and a pair of runs
in the third, highlighted by Wooten's first home run of the game.
Both sides scored two runs in the fourth inning. Jessica
Harris started the one-out rally for GSW in the top half of the
inning. The Lady 'Canes capitalized on two ASU errors and a
wild pitch to bring both runs across.
GSW added four runs in the seventh. Wooten led off the
frame with a solo home run. Gabby Buck followed with a
single. After Brandi Pratt reached on an error and Heather
Denny Walked, Harris doubled to drive in the final three runs for
the Lady 'Canes.
Starting pitcher Mariko Nomura went 3.1 innings, allowed all
three ASU runs while striking out two for the win. Kimberlee
Tolbert pitched 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. Tolbert
walked six and struck out four.
Sasha Reece took the loss for ASU.
Wooten, Harris, Buck and Brooke McLemore had multiple-hit games
for Southwestern. Wooten finished 2-for-3 with the two home
runs, three RBI, a pair of runs scored and a walk.
In the nightcap, Albany State (5-8) scored a run in the bottom
of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie and salvage a split in the
afternoon doubleheader.
ASU jumped out to a 2-0 lead with runs in the second and third
innings. The Lady 'Canes tied the game in the fifth
inning. Hanah Swinson led-off the frame with a single.
Shea Weaver knocked Swinson in with a triple and Buck brought
Weaver home with a single.
Southwestern had a chance to break the 2-2 tie in their half of
the seventh after a pair of two-out singles by Weaver and Buck, but
the runners were stranded and ASU won the game in the bottom half
of the inning.
Ashia Merideth earned the complete-game win for the Lady Rams,
allowing eight hits, striking out three and walking one.
Jessica Martin went the distance for GSW, allowing six hits,
striking out four and walking one.
Weaver and Buck finished with two hits apiece for GSW.
Weaver went 2-for-3 with the triple, RBI and a run scored.
GSW (5-7) travels up the road to Columbus State tomorrow
for a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.
