MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner softball managed a split against No. 11 ranked Middle Georgia State in a Southern States Athletic Conference clash Tuesday afternoon.
FAULKNER 4, MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE 0
In one of their most complete performances of the season, the Lady Eagles excelled in every area of game one, dropping the visiting Knights and All-SSAC pitcher Beth Eddins 4-0. Faulkner started the scoring with a two-out rally in the third inning.
Anna Purvis started the fire with a two-out single, the first of four such hits in the frame.
Erika Mitchell's single past the second baseman plated Purvis and put Faulkner up 1-0.
Colby Adams later ripped a line drive off the tip of the second baseman's glove and into right-center field, driving in
Gracie Pittman and Mitchell on the play to move the advantage to 3-0.
Faulkner added an insurance run in the home half of the fourth as
Eavie Polk started the inning with a single and scored on
Chloe Davidson's single to left two batters later.
In addition to the offense compiling seven hits, the defense proved nearly flawless behind one of the most dominant pitching performances of
Julianna Thames's career. She needed only 73 pitches to work a complete game shutout that featured only two MGA baserunners. Each of those runners reached by singling on an 0-2 pitch.
MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE 2, FAULKNER 0
Madisyn Riggins steadied the ship for the Knights in game two of the doubleheader, working a complete game shut out for a 2-0 victory. Riggins escaped trouble in each of the first three innings before retiring 12 batters in a row through the middle portion of the game.
Chloe Davidson walked in the first inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a
Gracie Pittman single with only one out. Faulkner proved unable to drive her in, stranding two runners in the frame. A pair of second inning walks to
Haley Ingram and
Kaileigh Harrison gave the Lady Eagles another scoring opportunity that proved fruitless in the second. Purvis started the third with a single to right before being erased on a double play ball to nullify any threat in the third. The Lady Eagles did not get another runner aboard until
Haley Ingram singled to right with one away in the seventh. Two hitters later,
Abby Terrell singled to get the tying run aboard. A ground ball to second then ended the game.
Ivey Hill was effective in the circle, working a complete game with five strikeouts while scattering six hits and four walks. Middle Georgia State got its first run in the third off a single from Alexis Cosgrove. Riggins then aided her own cause in the fifth with a run-scoring single that set the final margin.
Faulkner (20-15, 8-10 SSAC) sits fifth in the conference standings with four SSAC doubleheaders remaining in addition to an impending Talladega forfeit April 27. The Lady Eagles head to Georgia Friday to face Brewton-Parker in a doubleheader before making their way to Middle Georgia State Saturday. Faulkner is at home again April 22 when it hosts William Carey.
