Late Inning Runs Extends Win Streak to Four for Eagles

Waleska, Ga. - It took a little while to get the runs going for the Eagles in the series with Columbia, but it was exciting when it happened. It was two totally different games, however, both games did not have scoring until the fifth inning or later. Game one had a breakout in the fifth inning where the Eagles would score seven runs and then game two would only have three runs total - but they came in dramatic fashion. Game one ended, 8-0, and game two ended, 3-2, with both going to the Eagles.

Game One

Bella Krauth would get the start in game one and she had a great game pitching. She pitched the complete game (6 innings) and had 5 strikeouts, 5 hits, and zero runs. The Koalas did have a few chances to get some runs across the plate, but Krauth would shut them down each time. The defense behind her was supportive in keeping the Columbia off the board until the Eagles' offense got it going.

In the fifth inning, the Eagles would open up the scoring machine as they put up seven runs. Ansley Evans, J.J. Trowell, and Alexis Griffith all singled to load up the bases. There was one out when Alexis Teems singled to center field which scored Evans. With the bases still loaded, Jill Martinet doubled to center which would score Trowell and Griffith and it put Teems on third. Kyra Lightner would come up next and reach first on an error by the Koalas. This would score Teems and move Martinet to third. With a runner on first and third, the power of Hannah Kate Singleton would be on display for the fans at Ken White Field. As she had done numerous times in her career, Singleton would come through big with a nice homer that gave her 3 RBIs and put the game at 7-0 Eagles.

In the sixth inning, J.J. Trowell would draw a walk. She would be moved to third on a hit by Griffith putting runners on second and third. Alexis Teems would get another single to left field that would score Trowell. At 8-0, the game would be shortened and the Eagles would walk away with the win.

Game Two

This game would go slightly different than game one and it would seem that the Eagles might come up a little short in the end, however, the late-game hits, walks, and a little help in the error department changed things around. 

Ally Andriano would get the start in game two and had two strikeouts in five innings. She did give up six hits in those innings and allowed two runs to be scored which happened in the fourth inning. That was the only inning where she let runners home. For the rest of the time, Andriano was shutting down Columbia just like Krauth in game one. Whitney Shepherd would come in to pitch the final two innings and she would have two strikeouts and only allow one hit. Shepherd's shutout innings at the end allowed for the late-inning comeback to happen.

Columbia would keep the Eagles off the board for the first five innings and only allow one hit, which happened in the first inning. They were finally able to get something going in the sixth inning when they scored a run and gave a little life to the chance of winning the game. Alexis Teems would get a single to left field and Martinet singled to move her to second base. Hannah Kate Singleton would hit a hard single to center and brought the speed Teems home. After six innings, the Eagles were down 1-2.

In the seventh, the bases were loaded from a walk to Lauren Parker and Ansley Evans. Kalyn Jinks would single which loaded up the bases. Senior, J.J. Trowell, would come to the plate for a chance to tie or win the game. She put a hard hit into play which went right to the shortstop, however, the shortstop could not handle the hit and she bobbled it just enough to bring home both Parker and Jinks. Jinks had to make the head-first slide into home plate as the ball arrived at the same time. It was a tight play at the plate, but the umpire called Jinks safe and that ended the game, 3-2, in favor of the Eagles.

The Eagles will have no time to celebrate these two wins as they will be back at home for a game with Johnson (TN). After this, they will be on the road with CIU on Thursday afternoon. This will be the final regular season games for the Eagles before the AAC Tournament starts next week.