Levering Makes History With 10th PBC Win

Levering Makes History With 10th PBC Win

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Head coach Nicki Levering was inked in history Saturday afternoon during Game 2 when the Georgia Southwestern softball team won their 10th Peach Belt Conference game, making it the most conference wins in the NCAA era for GSW softball. 

GSW joined the NCAA and entered the PBC in 2007 and since, had two back-to-back seasons (2013-14) where they had nine conference wins. The softball team has three post-season appearances and has already clinched their fourth appearance to the PBC tournament this season. 

Game 1: GSW 3, Flagler 4

A two-run triple followed by a field error by Aimee Oglesby gave Flagler a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Lady Canes returned the favor in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs of their own. A successful bunt by Shannon Gibson pushed Allyson Murdock across the plate for their first score of the day. Kayla Kerr followed up with a bunt of her own to push Chloe Zoeller in. Lauren Kuerzi hit a one-run single into left field as Kerr crossed plate to tie the game at 3-3. 

Shannon Gibson took the loss from inside the circle, pitching 8.1 innings and striking out seven Saints (30-21, 13-7 PBC) while giving up four runs on eight hits. Kuerzi led GSW, going 3-for-4 with one RBI. The Saints got the game-winning run in the bottom of ninth as Morgan Murphy scored on a one-run double. 

Game 2: GSW 5, Flagler 3

Tanner Robertson put the Lady Canes (27-23, 10-8 PBC) up first in the top of the third with a one-run single into center field that pushed Briana Bryson across the plate for a 1-0 lead. Flagler retook the lead, scoring two runs in the bottom inning, tieing the score on a throwing error and taking the lead with a single into left field by Genevieve Mangini. Mangini picked up another RBI in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 3-1. 

In the top of the seventh with bases loaded, Kerr hit a two-run double down the left field line to push Mackenzy McFarland and Zoeller across the plate to tie the game at 3-3. Hayley Tierce followed up with a game-winning two-run single to centerfield, as Aimee Oglesby and Kerr crossed the plate for the 5-3 final win. Hayley Dickerson started Game 2 but Madason Messer came in relief to get the win, giving up five hits and one run. 

Up Next: The Lady Canes close out their regular season schedule with a short trip to Columbus, Ga., where they will take on Columbus State, Saturday, April 27 for a 2 p.m. doubleheader start.