The Govs softball team played two games against the Samford Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 22, sweeping them 5-2 and 10-7 to put their record at 10-14 for the season.
In Game 1, the Govs set the tone early with their strong offense. Their first two runs came from a home run by Danielle Liermann in the first and another home run from Carly Mattson in the second.
By the end of the second inning, the Lady Govs led 3-0 thanks to an RBI single from Erica Inagaki.
The Bulldogs retaliated in the top of the third by scoring two runs; this cut APSU’s lead to 1 point. However, in the bottom of the inning, Mattson’s second home run of the day gave the Govs a two-run lead going into the fifth.
The Lady Govs’ defense prevented Samford from attempting another comeback, and in the bottom of the fifth, Liermann hit a double, which brought in another run for APSU. By the end of the fifth inning, the Lady Govs had a 5-2 advantage.
Freshman pitcher Kelsey Gross limited the Bulldogs to eight hits and struck out nine in Game 1.
For the second game, APSU kept the momentum alive. Christiana Gable gave the Govs a 3-0 with one swing of the bat.
Although, the third inning saw the Bulldogs cut the three-run lead to one by scoring two of their own runs.
Rikki Arkansas gave the Govs a small advantage by bringing in one run in the fourth.
Both teams failed to score in the fifth, and Samford’s offense rallied back in the top of the sixth.
The Bulldogs managed to steal the lead by scoring five runs in the sixth. The Lady Govs stepped up to the plate with a 4-7 disadvantage.
APSU rose the challenge and loaded the bases. This brought pinch hitter Brett Jackson, who was hit by a pitch. With the bases load, this gave the Lady Govs their first run of the inning.
Kacy Acree stepped up to the plate and hit a single to bring in two runs, which tied the game at 7-7.
Vedder secured the 10-7 victory of game two for APSU with a three-run home run on the second pitch.
The Lady Govs next game is set for Friday, March 24, against Morehead State.
