Softball drops doubleheader to cap off rough stretch

The GCSU softball team has experienced some more struggles over the past couple of weeks. The latest setback came as it dropped a doubleheader this past Wednesday against Columbus State. In the opener, the Bobcats fell 9-5, and in the second game they dropped a 10-6 decision.

Monday, the Bobcats faced their highest-ranked opponent this season in No. 10 Augusta State, and dropped a pair of games. Senior second baseman Kayla Smith’s homerun in Game 1 was the lone run of the day in a 5-1 loss. Senior centerfielder Allison Schwimer added two hits in the loss. Freshman Kristi Rodriguez took the loss for the Bobcats. A seven-run fourth for the Jaguars in game two blew it open and set up a 10-0 victory. Sophomore Haley Burnett took the loss for the Bobcats.

Sophomore catcher Anna Parker looks for a hit in a game last month.

On March 16, the Bobcats split a doubleheader at Lander, dropping the first game 6-1, before rebounding to take the second game, 4-2. Burnett provided the Bobcats with their only run of the game with a solo homer in the second. She also took the loss on the mound, pitching six innings and allowing two earned runs, while striking out five. In the second game, the Bobcats scored four runs in the top of the first and made that stick in their 4-2 victory. Smith’s RBI double plated freshman third baseman Kelsea Martin. After a single by junior catcher Anna Parker scored Smith, junior Belourse Jean-Francais belted a two-run shot to give the Bobcats a 4-0 lead. Burnett entered in relief and tossed seven shutout innings, while only allowing three hits to get the win. Sabrina Chandler led GCSU at the plate, going 2-3.

On March 19, the Bobcats suffered a doubleheader loss at No. 16 Wingate. The Bulldogs scored six runs off Burnett in the first two innings to cruise to a 9-1 win. Sophomore Jessica Solomon had a sacrifice fly to score Parker, accounting for GCSU’s lone run in the game. After giving up four runs in the opening inning of the second game, the Bobcats held Wingate in check, but their rally fell short in a 4-2 defeat. Smith and junior Brandie Monroe had RBI singles to pace the Bobcats’ offensive effort. Sophomore righty Caitlin Duvall took the loss for GCSU.

The misfortune continued for the Bobcats on March 21, as they dropped another doubleheader at Francis Marion. Trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth in Game 1, the Bobcats took the lead when a two-run single by Jean-Francais brought in freshman pinch runner Melanie Goolsby and Parker to make it a 3-2 game. The Patriots regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a bases-loaded, three-run triple by Chelle Phillips to make it a 5-3 game and earn the victory. Burnett pitched a complete game for the Bobcats, allowing four earned runs and taking the loss. The lone highlight for the Bobcats in their 9-1 loss in the second game came on a solo homer by Smith in the fourth. The Patriots used a six-run explosion in the fifth to bring an early end to the contest.

GCSU (11-28 overall, 3-11 in PBC play) snapped their losing streak on March 24 with a 7-3 win over USC Aiken in game one of a doubleheader. Schwimer led the way, going 4-4 with four runs, a double and an RBI in the victory. Burnett added a pair of hits with three RBI. Burnett got the win in relief, going three and two-thirds of an inning, allowing just one unearned run and three hits. The second game proved to be unlucky for the Bobcats, as they lost 13-4. Burnett added two more hits and a home run in the losing effort. Rodriguez took the loss on the mound for the Bobcats.

GCSU returns to action this Saturday when they host Flagler in a doubleheader beginning at noon. The Bobcats then travel to Armstrong Atlantic on April 7. First pitch for that game is set for 2 p.m.

Posted by Scotty Thompson on Apr 1 2010. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry