>>>boxscore
HICKORY, N.C. - It took an extra frame to
decide it, but the Georgia College & State University softball
squad (31-23) got upended tonight (May 8) by Lenoir-Rhyne
University (37-11) 3-2 in eight innings in the first round of the
NCAA Southeast Regional.
Junior designated player Kayla Smith
(Lexington, S.C.) got the scoring started in the top of
the fifth, blasting a 1-2 pitch over the left center fence for a
two-run home run, her fourth of the season.
With momentum clearly on the side of the Bobcats, LRU answered
right back with two runs in the bottom half, plating a pair on a
double down the left field line by second baseman Carlee Carpenter.
Then the game went scoreless again until the eighth, when
Carpenter led off by reaching on an error. After a bunt single by
catcher Sarah Atkins, the Bobcats retired the next two batters.
With two out, centerfielder Erin Evans sent a single up the middle
and GCSU centerfielder Sherquita
Bostick (Florence, S.C.) fired a strike to home.
Carpenter slid just ahead of the tag for the walk-off win.
Bobcat starter Mandy Chandler
(Covington, Ga.) took the hard-luck loss (26-14), going
all 7 2/3 innings while not allowing an earned run. The senior
righty fanned eight, while walking just one and allowing seven
hits. She had a no-hitter into the fourth, and at one point set
down 11-straight Bear batters.
Noel Belk (16-3) got the win in eight innings of work, also not
allowing an earned run as there was a total of seven errors
combined. She struck out one and scattered five hits.
Freshman rightfielder Sabrina Chandler
(Covington, Ga.) was the only multi-hit performer for the
'cats, recording a pair of slap-hit singles in three trips.
The Bobcats are back in action tomorrow, May 9 in an elimination
game at 1:30 p.m. taking on Peach Belt Conference (PBC) foe USC
Aiken, who fell to Carson-Newman College 6-5 today in nine innings.
Catch tomorrow's action on 88.9 WGUR and www.GCSURadio.com .
Visit www.GCSUBobcats.com to nominate your favorite former
Bobcats and Colonials to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame. The GCSU
Department of Athletics sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at
the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, GCSU prides
itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by
the Bobcats' multiple appearances in post-season competition as
well as documented academic success and community-service
involvement. Sign up at Twitter.com username GCSUSID for
up-to-the-minute reports.
