AMERICUS – Georgia Southwestern softball team played at home on Saturday afternoon against Fort Valley State University. The Lady 'Canes swept Fort Valley, with highlight triples by Chelsea Littlejohn and Lauren Thrasher.
GAME 1: GSW 8 FVSU 0
The first scoring opportunity happened in the first inning for the Lady 'Canes. Nellie Moore was the first to bring in Mason Moreland to score, with a single up the middle.
At the Bottom of the fourth inning the Lady 'Canes were back in the groove. Rachel McElroy reached base on a sacrifice bunt from a throwing error, allowing Jordan Miller to make it home safely. Thrasher was the next up to bat to single into left field, bringing in two 'Canes Littlejohn and Keri Tompkins. Erin Steele was the next to single up the middle allowing Mary Beth Wilson to come home.
The fifth inning was also productive for the Lady 'Canes as Littlejohn hit a triple down the left line. This big hit brought in Miller. Wilson later hit a sacrifice fly out to bring in Littlejohn.
GSW finished things off in the sixth inning when Jordan Miller singled into center field allowing Kiley Doster to score. The game finished early due to the mercy run past five innings and up by eight.
Lady 'Cane Ashley Cavender took the credit for the win after pitching five innings and only allowing one hit. Allison Pastor made an appearance pitching in the final inning only walking one and striking out two.
Fort Valleys Ricks took the loss after pitching in 5.2 innings and taking ten hits and eight runs.
GAME 2: GSW 10 FVSU 1
Fort Valley took advantage of their placement in the first inning. Buckner reached, then advanced after an out and when Walker singled into left field she made it home. Putting the score to an early 1-0. The inning ended with one run, two hits, one error, and two left on base.
The Lady 'Canes were unshaken as in the bottom of the first inning Hayley Knight made it all the way around the bases and home after Miller hit a single.
In the next inning, Lauren Thrasher hit a triple down the left line. Chelsea Hodges was next up and was taken out at first base unassisted, but in the process Lauren Thrasher made it home. GSW is currently in the lead 2-0.
The bottom of the third proved to be a productive inning for the Lady 'Canes as Hayley Knight made it home again after a pass ball was hit. McElroy then scored on a wild pitch. Hodges was later walked, advancing Thrasher and Littlejohn to the next base and Miller in to score. Keri Tompkins was next up to bat and doubled down the left line to bring in three runs by Hodges, Thrasher, and Littlejohn.
In the fourth inning, Littlejohn kept things moving with another triple down the left line. Thrasher was next up and hit a single into left field; she was only able to reach third because of a throwing error and allowed Littlejohn made it home safely. Hodges likewise made it to first on a throwing error, allowing Thrasher to make it home safely.
Pastor took the win for GSW after pitching four innings and only allowing four hits and one run. Thrasher also made an appearance on the mound in the final inning and was able to strike out two. Fort Valley's Richmond took the loss after pitching in 2.1 innings and allowing two hits and eight runs. Ricks made an appearance on the mound for 1.2 innings allowing three hits and two runs.
On the day stolen bases were achieved by Knight, McElroy, Miller, Littlejohn, Moreland, and Steele.
The Lady 'Canes improve to a 12-6 overall record, while Fort Valley continues on a 0-19 overall record.
The Lady 'Canes are home again on March 5th to take on West Georgia in a doubleheader that is set to begin at 2:00 p.m.