AMERICUS – Georgia Southwestern softball team was back in action at home today against Lander after a long week of game delays due to inclement weather. The Lady 'Canes swept Peach Belt Conference opponent Lander University Bearcats on Sunday afternoon.
The Student Athlete Advisory Committee of GSW presented Make-A-Wish Day at the ball parks today as there were double headers being played at both the softball and baseball fields today against Lander University. GSW Student-Athletes were found around the ball park selling raffle tickets and baked goods to help raise money to help a child's wish come true. It is currently undetermined how much money was raised on the day.
GAME 1: GSW 6 – LU 2
Before too much happened in the game, Rachel McElroy took matters into her own hands. In the bottom of the second with one out, McElroy hit a HR over left field to make the first point of the doubleheader. Following this inning, Lander responded with base hits to push centerfielder Hannah Gatley home.
Also taking matters into her own hands, senior Allison Pastor hit a homerun for a solo trip around the bases in the bottom of the third.
The next run came in the fifth inning as Nellie Moore rocked a ball over the fence. This is Moore's 11th homerun this season. Moore requires one more to match the GSW NCAA-era record.
Lander came back with a homerun of their own with the first batter up in the top of the sixth. Going into the bottom of the sixth the score read GSW 3-2.
Jordan Miller reached with a base hit as the first batter in the bottom of the sixth. After a sacrifice bunt from McElroy, Miller advanced to second. Then an error by the shortstop allowed Ashley Clifton to reach base and Miller to advance to third. Mason Moreland came up next with a much needed double, pushing Clifton to third, and bringing in Miller to score. Hayley Knight was next up and was able to reach due to an error on the second baseman allowing both Clifton and Moreland to score. This inning finished with three runs, two hits, two errors, and one Hurricane left on base.
The Bearcats were unable to match the runs in the top of the seventh. The Lady 'Canes took the first victory in the double header.
Junior Ashley Cavender (10-9) takes credit for the win after pitching five innings and only giving up two runs, seven hits, and one homerun. Allison Pastor takes her second save of the season after pitching the final two innings of the game and only allowing one hit and producing three strikeouts (matching Cavender).
Landers M.K. Pegram (1-12) takes credit for the loss as she gave up the first three runs and four hits, and three home runs. Tyler Riendeau also made an appearance to the mound and faced nine batter.
GAME 2: GSW 5 – LU 1
The Lady 'Canes took no time to achieve their first three runs of the second game as they were produced in the bottom of the first. Moreland reached first, from a base hit right up the middle of the field. Knight reached then was able to advance on a throwing error to third while Moreland made it home safely. Moore hit a double to right center allowing Knight to reach home safely. Moore was then able to steal second. Then when Miller came up and hit a base hit bunt Moore was able to slide into home safely. The inning ended with a double play by Landers shortstop and first baseman.
The Lady 'Canes kept things moving during the second inning happened. After Kiley Doster, Clifton, Moreland made it to base Knight made it on fielder's choice which allowed Lander to get their first out at home plate. Moore was next up with the bases still loaded, she made it on base on a fielder's choice. The base advances were possible because of an error produced by the shortstop, which allowed Clifton to make it home. The inning ended with another forced out.
As the style of this game, Lander had quick innings and GSW had long innings at bat. In the bottom of the third, one more run was made when a sacrifice fly to centerfield allowed Miller to reach home safely.
Lander was able to put a point on the board with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. After Reychel Webster hit a single up the left side all base runners were able to advance a base on the throw. Lindsey Newman produced the first and only run for the Bearcats.
Allison Pastor (11-7) takes credit for the win after pitching six innings and only allowing four hits and striking out two runners. Cavender made a final inning appearance to the mound as she allowed two hits and one run.
Lander's Tyler Riendeau (0-4) pitched six innings and gave up ten hits and five runs.
The Lady 'Canes improve to a 22-16 overall record and a 5-5 Peach Belt Conference record. The Bearcats move onto a 20-15 overall record and a 4-8 in conference record.
The Lady 'Canes will be back on the diamond on Monday, March 31st, at 1 p.m. for their doubleheader to make up their rained out game against USC Aiken.