For Immediate Release
April 21 , 2006
Day One of Great South Athletic Conference Softball Championship Sees Top Four Seeds Advance
Macon, Ga. - The Great South Athletic Conference Softball Championship was only delayed two hours by the early morning rain before the higher seeds all advanced to tomorrow's second round play. Host Wesleyan College was eliminated on the opening day of play, dropping their first game to Huntingdon College, 4-0, and the second game to Spelman College, 5-1.
Play continues tomorrow at 9:00am when #2 LaGrange College takes on #3 Huntingdon College at the Mathews Athletics Complex on the campus of Wesleyan College.
Game 1: #4 Maryville College 8, #5 Agnes Scott College 0
In the first game of the Great South Athletic Conference Softball Championship, the Maryville Scots jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first inning and never looked back, defeating Agnes Scott 8-0 in five innings. Maryville's sophomore pitcher Ashley Redmon (1-0) picked up the win for the Scots in quick fashion, facing only 15 batters in the game and striking out three. Redmon erased the only hit she allowed in the game by starting an inning-ending double play in the fourth. Redmon continued her strong play with her bat, going 3-3 on the day with a triple and two singles. Also contributing to the Scots offensive attack was junior second baseman Brittany Hayes, who added two singles. Antonella Barrero (0-1) took the loss for the Scotties.
Game 2: #3 Huntingdon College 4, #6 Wesleyan College 0
In the second game of the Championship, the Pioneers of Wesleyan College dropped their opening game of the tournament to the Hawks of Huntingdon College, 4-0. Huntingdon pitcher Alyssa Ryan (1-0) dominated the game, surrendering only one hit while allowing a total of two base runners in the victory. The junior fanned nine batters to help the Hawks advance to a second-round meeting with LaGrange on Sunday. Four Hawks posted multi-hit games in the victory. Freshman Amber Carden picked up Wesleyan's only hit of the game while sophomore hurler Christine Andrew (0-1) was saddled with the loss.
Game 3: #2 LaGrange College 15, #7 Spelman College 1
Scoring fourteen runs in the first two innings, LaGrange College clinched a first round win against the Spleman Jaguars, 15-1. With a triple and three runs scored, the GSAC Player of the Year Jessica DeMooney led the Panthers offensive attack. Teammate Kim Woodard matched her 3-3 effort with four RBIs. Megan Henry (1-0) picked up the win for the Panthers while LaToya Lee (0-1) of Spelman College was saddled with the loss.
Game 4: #1 Piedmont College 22, #8 Fisk University 0
Top-seeded Piedmont removed any doubt about whether they were ready to compete in the championship, scoring 18 first inning runs on their way to burying Fisk 22-0. May Alves went 2-for-2 with four RBI's to pace the Lions who advanced in the winner's bracket to a Sunday match-up with fourth-seeded Maryville. The Lions have yet to lose a game to a GSAC opponent in 2006. Lindsay Drevlow (1-0) picked up the easy win while Fisk starter Lola Baker Coleman (0-1) took the loss.
Game 5: #5 Agnes Scott College 11, #8 Fisk University 2
In the first elimination game of the tournament, the Scotties of Agnes Scott defeated the Bulldogs of Fisk University, 11-2. Agnes Scott's first three batters of the contest each scored, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Fisk made a run at the Scotties in the third inning, when seniors Tocarra Cecil and Courtney Etienne scored, cutting the margin to two runs. However, Agnes Scott responded with seven unanswered runs to end the game. Lead off hitter Nikki Maples paced the Scotties offensively, reaching base all four times at bat including two singles. Caitlyn Whitten came off the bench in the fourth inning to hit a two-run triple, sealing the game for Agnes Scott. Julia Alexander (1-0) earned the win while Fisk senior Courtney Etienne (0-1) picked up the loss.
Game 6: #6 Wesleyan College 1, #7 Spelman College 5
Spelman College avenged four regular season losses with a win over the Wesleyan Pioneers in the final game of the first day of the GSAC Softball Championship, 5-1.Critical defensive lapses and a lack of offense hurt the Pioneers, while excellent defense and timely hitting propelled the Jaguars to victory. LaToya Lee (1-1) baffled the Wesleyan batters throughout the game, surrendering just one unearned run and four hits on her way to the complete game win. Wesleyan pitcher Laura Schorr (0-1) was victimized by two crucial errors while striking out six in the loss. Spelman shortstop Ashley Covington led the Jaguars with two runs scored and catcher Ashley Pruitt went 2-3 from the plate as well to spur Spelman into tomorrow's second round of tournament action in just its first ever season sponsoring softball.
Wesleyan College Sports Information Department
