Softball splits two series, awaits NGCSU

The GCSU softball team rallied for a 13-8 victory in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Armstrong Atlantic, but its rally in the second game fell a little short in a 7-6 loss.

The Bobcats scored a season-high 13 runs to go along with 14 hits in their 13-8 win in the opener. The big blow came in the fourth, as eight runners crossed the plate to put the Bobcats ahead 8-6. Junior leftfielder Belourse Jean-Francois spanked two home runs in the inning to go along with four runs batted in.

After the Pirates tied the game in their half of the fourth, the Bobcats answered with five runs in the sixth and seventh to go ahead 13-8 and take the victory. Jean-Francois finished with three hits and four RBI. Sophomore Haley Burnett had a pair of hits, including the go-ahead RBI double in the sixth. Freshman third baseman Kelsea Martin and senior center fielder Allison Schwimer each had a pair of hits in the win. Sophomore Sabrina Chandler allowed just two runs on eight hits in five and one thirds innings to pick up the win in relief.

A late rally in the second game wasn’t enough for the Bobcats to overcome the Pirates, as they fell 7-6. Burnett homered to lead off the fourth to cut Armstrong’s lead down to 5-1. Burnett homered again leading off the sixth, sparking a four-run rally to tie the game. Sophomore catcher Anna Parker doubled, sophomore first baseman Jessica Solomon singled, and freshman Melanie Goolsby was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Junior right fielder Kati Pickowitz and Martin then followed with back to back RBI singles, scoring three runs and tying the game at 5-5.

The Pirates regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning with a pair of unearned runs. Senior shortstop Kayla Smith homered in the seventh to cut the lead to 7-6, but the Pirates were able to hang on for the victory. Burnett took the loss in relief after taking over for freshman Kristi Rodriguez in the third.

The Bobcats (13-30 overall, 5-13 PBC) picked up a split in a home doubleheader against Flagler on April 7. In the opener, a late rally by the Bobcats fell short in a 7-4 loss to the Saints. GCSU broke into a 4-0 deficit in the fifth when Parker doubled and scored on a single by Solomon to make it 4-1.

After Flagler extended its lead to 7-1 in the sixth, the Bobcats battled back for a couple more runs in the bottom half. Jean-Francois doubled with one out and scored on a double by Burnett. Smith later plated junior pinch runner Bailey Thompson to cut the lead to 7-3.

GCSU got within striking distance in the seventh, cutting the lead down to 7-4, when Pickowitz tripled and scored on Martin’s RBI single. The Saints got out of the jam, however, and preserved the victory. Burnett took the loss for the Bobcats, going four innings while allowing four runs.

The Bobcats got back on the winning track in the second game, 5-2. An RBI groundout by Burnett in the first set the Bobcats out to an early 1-0 advantage. With the game tied at 1-1 in the fourth, GCSU took control with a three-run inning. Jean-Francois singled, and after stealing second, scored on Burnett’s RBI double. Smith provided the big blow with a two-run blast to stake the Bobcats out to a 4-1 lead. GCSU extended their lead to 5-2 in the sixth, when Solomon had another RBI single, plating Goolsby.

“We pitched better in the second game, and we hit pretty well all day,” head coach Ginger Chaffinch said after Saturday’s doubleheader. “We were actually able to put it all together in that second game and get a victory.”

With the Bobcats disappointing season drawing to a close, finishing strong is their top goal.

“We’re working to put it all together and just get better,” Burnett said.

Burnett redeemed herself in the second game, pitching a complete game, scattering eight hits and allowing just the two runs while striking out three.

The Bobcats will close out their season Saturday when they host a doubleheader for senior day against undefeated and top-ranked North Georgia. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Posted by Scotty Thompson on Apr 9 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