Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
PANTHERSVILLE, Ga.—The University of Evansville softball team dropped both games in the opening day of the Georgia State First Pitch Classic and Bob Heck Field. The Aces fell to #17 Missouri in the opening game 4-2 before losing a close match to host Georgia State 9-8 in the afternoon game.
"I am pleased with our first day out considering we haven't been able to practice outside yet this season," said head coach Gwen Lewis. "We did very well in most aspects. We outhit our opponents and we are showing a lof of confidence at the plate."
Game 1
The Aces rallied for two runs late in the game but could not overcome a four run deficit put up by #17 Missouri in the 4-2 loss.
Missouri score three quick runs in the first two innings of the game and put up an insurance run in the fifth. The Aces took advantage of a new pitcher and put up two runs in the top of the sixth to pull within two. Senior Amanda Ockomon led off the inning with a double and scored the Aces’ first run on a RBI double by senior Lissa Fehlman. Jamie Lindauer followed with a RBI hit to drive in Fehlman.
The Aces outhit Missouri 12-6. Fehlman was 2-for-3 in the game with an RBI and two doubles. Jennifer Stahlhut had two base hits and stolen base, and Kelci Alsip was 2-for-2 at the plate with a stolen base. Krista Price had a double while Kristen Shirk, Ashleigh Rahming, and Amy Gaertner each contributed base hits in the game.
Junior Jennifer McKee took the loss, going six innings and giving up four runs on six hits with four strikeouts.
Game 2
Host Georgia State put up three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to hand UE their second loss of the day.
The Aces scored in each of the first five innings to take an 8-6 lead over Georgia State. Price scored the first run of the game thanks to an RBI hit by freshman Kylie Wagner.
The Aces scored one in the second and then put up four runs in the third after the Panthers tied the game in the bottom of the second. Shirk led off the third getting hit by the pitch. After a walk by Wagner and a single by Ockomon to load the bases, Fehlman hit a grand slam to left field.
Fehlman was 3-for-4 in the game with a double, a home run, three runs scored and four RBI. Wagner was 3-for-3 with two RBI and Price was 3-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI. Ockomon had two hits and Stahlhut also added a hit in the game. Alsip was also credited with a RBI.
Wagner pitched four innings giving up six runs on nine hits with two strikeouts. McKee took the loss in relief giving up three runs on four hits in two innings of work.
"We were very competitive today," said Lewis. "We were tough. We will get back on the field tomorrow and try to get a win."
The Aces (0-2) will face Virginia Tech at 9 a.m. on Sunday in the second day of the tournament.
