The GSW softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Albany State on Saturday afternoon at Lady Cane Field.

The two games played out on different ends of the spectrum. Game one was a two hour and 40 minute affair that saw 29 hits and 17 runs in 11 innings. In the end, the visiting Lady Rams were victorious 10-7. That was followed by a one hour and 15 minute game two that saw both pitchers combined to scatter nine hits as the Lady Canes won 2-1.

Albany State jumped out to the early lead in game one scoring a run in the second and two in the fourth. The ‘Canes answered with three in the fifth to tie the game, led by a Kassi Reneau two-RBI double and a Brandi Pratt RBI single.

It stayed 3-3 until extra frames. The teams exchanged runs in the eighth. Both sides scored two in the ninth before exchanging another run in the tenth. Four hits and a GSW error led to three runs in the eleventh for the Albany State victory.

Amanda Howett (3-7) took the loss in relief for the ‘Canes. She pitched 5.1 innings giving up seven runs, three earned. Mindy Mager (10-8) pitched all 11 innings for Albany State to get the win.

Reneau finished the game 3-for-5 with the double and two RBI for the Hurricanes. Pratt had three hits and Emily Oglesby and Jennifer Spradley each had two.

Deanna Birdsong led Albany State going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Five additional Lady Rams chipped in two hits apiece.

In game two it was all pitching. However, two particular ASU pitches, one in the first and the other in the seventh, ultimately helped the ‘Canes get the win in the nightcap. GSW pushed a run across in the first when Oglesby scored on a wild pitch from ASU starter Melissa Hurst.

That run held up until the top of the seventh when the Lady Rams took advantage of a two-out throwing error to score Chelsea Hill. In the bottom half of the frame, GSW Brandi Pratt knocked a leadoff triple down the left field line for the ‘Canes fourth hit of the ballgame. Ashley Durden followed with a sacrifice fly to right to score pinch runner Shea Weaver. That gave GSW the 2-1 victory.

Brittany Milstid (9-9) earned the win going all seven innings and allowing the one run, which was unearned. She scattered five hits and struck out one. Melissa Hurst (9-9) pitched well in a losing effort for ASU. She went the complete game and gave up two earned runs while holding GSW to four hits while striking out one.

With the split, GSW improves to 16-22. ASU is 19-17. The Lady Canes are back in action this Tuesday, April 1 against Brewton-Parker College. First pitch of the doubleheader is at 3 p.m. from Lady Cane Field.