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Spartans top Georgia Southern to advance to title game
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Kristen Gabel was part of a double steal that scored UNC Greensboro's first run and knocked in the eventual winning run in the seventh inning as the fourth-seeded Spartans ousted third-seeded Georgia Southern at the Southern Conference Championship on Friday, 2-1, to advance to the title game against Elon.
The Spartans (27-29) must beat the second-seeded Phoenix (37-19) twice to win the tournament and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. Elon needs just one win to clinch its first-ever title.
Against the Lady Eagles (30-26), Gabel and Brittany Ausley worked the delayed double steal to perfection in the third inning to plate UNCG's first run.
After Ausley led off with a double, Gabel dropped down a bunt in an attempt to sacrifice her to third. Gabel put her bunt in a perfect spot, as she was able to leg out the single and Ausley was able to get to third without a throw.
With runners at the corners, Gabel broke for second, and when GSU catcher Mackenzie Williams threw down to get her, Ausley broke for home.
The Spartans added a crucial insurance run in the top of the seventh, as Gabel stroked a single to center to score Laura Olenderski from second.
Georgia Southern would make it interesting in the bottom half of the inning, taking advantage of two hits and an error to cut UNCG's lead in half.
After Kelly Burnett reached on a one-out error, Williams singled to put runners at first and second. A Hanna Ennis flyout advanced both runners, and SoCon Player of the Year Nina Iduate singled through the left side to knock in Burnett.
The comeback would end there, as UNCG pitcher Amber Harrell induced a flyout from Marie Fogle to end the game and send the Spartans to their first-ever SoCon title game.
Gabel, Alex Emeterio and Emily Akiyama had two hits each to pace UNCG's offense, while Iduate was 3-for-4 to lead the Lady Eagles.
Gabel also made an outstanding play in center, making a running, leaping grab on Sam Russo's long fly in the fourth inning to rob Russo of extra bases.
Harrell improved to 15-15 on the season, allowing an unearned run on seven hits, striking out four. She didn't walk a batter.
SoCon Pitcher of the Year Brianna Streetmon (19-12) took the
loss, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk. She also struck
out four.
With the win, UNCG's seniors became the first class in school
history to win two games at the SoCon tournament in four straight
seasons.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro 2, Georgia Southern 1 (May 14, 2010 at Chattanooga,
Tenn.)
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UNC Greensboro...... 001 000 1 - 2 8
1 (27-29)
Georgia Southern.... 000 000 1 - 1 7
2 (30-26)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell and Whitney Sirois.
Georgia Southern - Brianna Streetmon and Mackenzie Williams.
Win-Amber Harrell(15-15) Loss-Brianna Streetmon(19-12)
T-1:56 A-0
Weather: 80 degrees, mostly cloudy
- UNCG -
