FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 2, 2009
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
Lady Tigers sweep Mercyhurst
After losing two games to the Middle Georgia College
Warriors Friday afternoon, head SGC softball coach Rob Brunel braved the
elements over the weekend and practiced several hours both Saturday and
Sunday in hopes of turning things around for the Lady Tigers.
It must have worked.
Monday afternoon, the Lady Tigers hosted Mercyhurst North East of
Pennsylvania for a double-header in Douglas. SGC won both games, 1-0 and
5-4.
Game one starter Tiffany Davies stepped up big, striking out 10 and walking
none in a complete game shutout. She only gave up three hits along the way.
“She was on cruise control. Her pitches have good movement and hitters seem
to have a hard time with her,” said Coach Brunel.
The Lady Tigers’ only run came in the second inning when Morgan Vereline
tripled to score Brandy Evans.
Things got dicey for SGC in the seventh inning – until Davies took control
of the inning. With a Mercyhurst runner on third and nobody out, the SGC
pitcher struck out three in a row to end the game.
Coach Brunel sent Josie Page to the mound in game two. She also threw well,
going five innings and giving up three runs (two in the first, one in the
third).
Heading into the fourth inning, SGC trailed 3-0. Then the Tigers decided to
start hitting, and scored one in the fourth and two in the fifth to tie the
game at three. Neither team could score in the sixth or seventh, and the
game went into extra innings.
In extras, each inning begins with whoever made the last out from the
previous inning standing on second base. Mercyhurst scored its runner in the
top of the eighth to pull ahead 4-3. SGC started the bottom of the inning
with Brittany Johnson at second. Mercyhurst attempted to pick her off but
was unsuccessful. The failed pick-off attempt moved Johnson to third. Cecily
DeMarco hit a triple, easily scoring Johnson from third to tie the game.
Mercyhurst walked the next two Lady Tigers to load the bases. Jessica Cooper
hit a ground ball, and Mercyhurst got the force at home. Then Vereline, who
drove in SGC’s only run in game one, singled in the winning run.
Tara Miles, DeMarco and Vereline all were 2 for 4 in game two.
“We hit fewer fly balls and more line drives. We also are walking more and
striking out less. The extra patience at the plate paid off for us,” said
Coach Brunel.
Despite losing the double-header to Middle Georgia on Friday, the Lady
Tigers showed some signs of life then as well. In game one, Davies threw
well enough to win but two errors scored three runs in the sixth inning. SGC
also left 10 runners on base in the 4-1 loss. “We had people reach base but
we didn’t execute from there,” said Coach Brunel.
Middle Georgia won game two 9-1, but the Lady Tigers had some early
opportunities to keep the game close. Once again, they were unable to
execute and allowed Middle Georgia take control of the game.
Darton is up next for the Lady Tigers. The two teams play a double-header
Thursday afternoon in Douglas beginning at 1 p.m.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System
of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives
students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close
collaboration with faculty.
