STATESBORO, Ga.- Appalachian State University softball (6-13, 0-2 SoCon) was doubled-up by Georgia Southern (10-14, 2-0 SoCon), 6-4 and 5-4, in its Southern Conference opening series on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Field in Statesboro, Ga.
The Mountaineers struck first in the twinbill, after senior McKenzie Phillips drew a two-out walk to begin the second inning. Sophomore Hayley Grabner singled to shortstop Jorie Walker and senior Sarah Rappe reached on a throwing error to score M. Phillips.
The Apps notched another run in the top of the third to go up, 2-0. Junior Megan Rembielak singled to shortstop to begin the frame, but sophomore Meghan Smith popped up to shortstop for the first out of the inning. Sophomore Allie Cashion then nailed a pitch right back up the middle, putting runners on first and second for ASU. Senior Hannah Dow singled back through the middle, as well, bringing around Rembielak to tally her seventh RBI of the season.
In the bottom of the third, the Eagles took the lead, 3-2, after scoring three runs on five hits.
Appalachian did not score another run until they rallied in the top of the seventh after GSU extended its advantage to 6-2.
Rembielak laid down a bunt single for her third hit of the game and Smith tripled for the first time this season to plate Rembielak. Cashion singled up the middle to score Smith and the game was set at 6-4. But the Mountaineers went down in order after the rally to finish the game.
ASU outhit GSU, 11-10 and was led offensively by Rembielak and Cashion, who both finished with three hits apiece. Dow and Grabner each added two, as well.
Junior Caitlin Wainright (2-3) took the loss, while Brianna Streetmon (5-4) picked up the win for the Eagles.
In the second game, it looked like GSU was take a 3-0 win easily, but the Mountaineers hung tight until final inning.
Junior Michelle Lighton grounded out to shortstop to start off the final stanza, but M. Phillips singled through the middle in the next at-bat. Grabner reached on a fielder's choice to the pitcher, putting runners on first and second for ASU. Rappe grounded out to the pitcher for the second out, but Boyd singled to right center, advancing on the throw to second, bringing around both runners to break through for the first Mountaineer runs of the game. Freshman Allie Miles relieved senior Megen Smith and walked the first batter that she faced, Rembielak. Smith doubled to center field and advanced to third on the throw after the Eagles attempted to get out Boyd and Rembielak. After plating four and taking the lead, 4-3, Lighton struck out swinging to end the Apps half of the seventh inning.
After throwing 6.1 innings, Dow was pulled and replaced with sophomore Frannie Seader. Although Dow was responsible for the runners on first and second, both runners advanced one more base on a wild pitch by Seader. Andrea Tarashuk singled up the middle, scoring Smith and moving Hanna Ennis to third to tie the game up at 4-4. Seader threw her second wild pitch of the game and Ennis stayed put on third, but Tarashuk took second. But it was Tabby Douberley who came up with a big single up the middle to get the game-winning RBI and secure the win for the Eagles, 5-4.
Seader (1-4) was given the loss, while Miles improved her record to 4-6.
Boyd and Smith paced the Apps with two hits and two RBIs.
The Mountaineers face the Eagles in the series finale tomorrow (Mar. 13) at 1 p.m. To follow the action, visit www.GoASU.com and head to softball's schedule page.
