ALBANY, Ga. – After an up-and-down opening weekend, Wednesday's match-up against Albany State was a matter of which GSW Hurricane team would show up. The one that lost two games to Catawba by a score of 15-4? Or would it be the gutsy "Cardiac Canes" who took two from Queens (N.C.) in dramatic fashion? In game one, it would appear to be the former.
GAME ONE: GSW-2 Albany State-4
After giving up a RBI triple to Shay Marks in the first inning, senior pitcher Katie Maddox would settle down and retire the next nine batters she faced, which included three strike outs. She unfortunately would see little run support as the Lady 'Canes would only record three hits all game.
However, the Blue & Gold would take control of the game in the 5th inning. After a Rachel McElroy RBI in the 4th, the Hurricanes would get another run in the 5th to make it 2-1 GSW. Unfortunately the wheels would come off the bus for Georgia Southwestern in the next inning.
A fielding error on the first Albany State batter of the sixth would be the first sign of trouble for the Lady Hurricanes. One out later, with two runners on, Albany State's Banks would deliver a three-run bomb to re-take the lead. A one-two-three seventh inning by GSW batters would put the finishing touches on the victory for the Albany State Lady Rams.
GAME TWO: GSW-0 Albany State-1
After committing three errors in the first game against Albany State, Georgia Southwestern's defense had committed 15 errors in their first five games. It was an issue that would resurface again in game two.
Two fielding errors in the second inning alone would allow an Albany State base runner to score the first run of the game. This counteracted Brittny Dennison's strong start on the mound with only one hit surrendered.
The GSW offense was quiet for the first four innings as they only registered one hit. They would threaten in the top of the fifth inning with runners on the corners with no outs. Hayley Knight would ground into a fielder's choice as the Rams would get the GSW runner out at home and at second. The threat would be completely neutralized two batters later as Albany State would come out of the inning unscathed.
Brittny Dennison would finish her night in the 5th inning as Jessica Martin would come on in relief out of the GSW bullpen. Dennison would leave the game after going four and a two-third innings, scattering four hits and one unearned run and fanning five Lady Rams. Martin would come and keep Albany State in check as she would strike out all four batters she faced in her inning and a third of work.
The Blue & Gold would threaten in the seventh and final inning as Mason Moreland would single, reach second on an error and take third on a wild pitch. With the tying run just one base away with two outs, senior Gabby Buck would be unable to drive in Moreland for the game-tying run.
The sweep was just the second time in eight series match-ups that ASU had swept the Lady Hurricanes in the NCAA Division II era. It puts the all-time record between the two schools to 14-8 in Georgia Southwestern's favor.
The mid-week pair of losses puts the Georgia Southwestern record at 2-4 on the young season. It won't be long before the Lady 'Canes will have the chance to seek revenge. They will play their first games at home of the 2012 season this weekend. Saturday's doubleheader will be against Young Harris with Sunday's games being against Rollins College. First pitch on Saturday will be at 2 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.