AMERICUS, Ga. — Florida Southern College softball (1-5) faced a tough doubleheader against Georgia Southwestern State University (4-0) on Sunday at Lady Canes Field, suffering a 7-4 loss in the first game and an 11-6 defeat in the second.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 4, GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN 7
The Moccasins struck first in the second inning.
Shelby Savitt got on base via a wild pitch, advanced to second, and scored on a sacrifice fly by
Nei Nei De Jesus, putting Florida Southern up 1–0. However, the Hurricanes responded quickly in their half, tying the game 1–1 from a Florida Southern throwing error that resulted in an unearned run.
The third inning saw Georgia Southwestern take control. Namyslowski hit a two-run homer, immediately followed by another two-run blast from Huelsman, giving the Hurricanes a 5–1 lead. Their momentum carried into the fourth, adding two more runs and stretching the lead to 7–1.
Florida Southern showed resilience in the fifth inning.
Kara Zweig cracked a double, and pinch-hitter
Cam Nolte singled to drive in a run.
Amanda Lieberman then stepped up with a two-RBI double, trimming the deficit to 7–4. The Moccasins' defense tightened, holding the Hurricanes scoreless through the fifth and sixth innings, but the gap proved too large to overcome.
Despite a spirited effort in the later innings, the game ended with the Hurricanes on top, 7–4. Key performances for the Mocs included Lieberman's two-RBI outing, Zweig's two hits and a run scored, and Nolte's pinch-hit RBI. De Jesus also contributed with a sacrifice fly.
Ella Torres started in the circle for Florida Southern, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on five hits, including two home runs. Torres walked one, struck out one, and faced 14 batters, throwing 49 pitches with 30 strikes, ending with a WHIP of 2.86. Lieberman relieved Torres, pitching 3 2/3 innings and giving up two earned runs on five hits, striking out one and walking one, with 35 strikes out of 55 pitches and a WHIP of 1.88.
For Georgia Southwestern, Namyslowski and Huelsman led the offensive charge with home runs and two RBIs each. Namyslowski posted an OPS of 1.750, while Huelsman's OPS was an impressive 2.333. Ernst added two hits, including a double, and two runs, maintaining an OPS of 1.250. Burns closed the game with a save, pitching one inning, allowing just one hit, and striking out one.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 6, GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN 11
Florida Southern faced a tough battle against Georgia Southwestern, ultimately falling 11-6 in the second game. Despite a spirited effort with three runs scored in both the second and fourth innings, the Moccasins couldn't claw back from an eight-run first inning by the Hurricanes.
The game started on a challenging note for Florida Southern as Georgia Southwestern jumped to an 8-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on multiple hits and aggressive base running. Florida Southern's
Gigi Polanco sparked the offense with a single, but the team couldn't convert initially.
Undeterred, Florida Southern answered with three runs in the second inning. Polanco delivered another single, for a key RBI, and combined with defensive miscues by the Canes, narrowed the deficit to 9-3.
In the fourth inning, the Mocs mounted another three-run surge. Torres chipped in with a single, and
Hannah Lewis came through with a crucial two-RBI single to keep the team in the hunt. Despite these efforts, Georgia Southwestern held their lead at 9-6.
The fifth inning saw the Hurricanes extend their lead with two more runs. Florida Southern's defense managed to limit the damage, but the scoreboard read 11-6.
The remainder of the game saw no change in score, concluding with an 11-6 victory for Georgia Southwestern. Florida Southern, despite a strong offensive push, couldn't erase the early gap.
Polanco shone with two hits and an RBI, also contributing defensively with four assists.
Keira Morris added a run and an RBI, drawing a walk to bolster the lineup. Lewis finished with two RBIs and a run, showcasing her clutch hitting.
Gabby Young scored twice and picked up a hit, underscoring her prowess at the plate and on the base paths.
Natalie Snowden started on the mound for FSC, facing difficulties with four earned runs on four hits in the first inning without securing an out.
Des Aitken took over, pitching 2/3 of an inning and allowing four earned runs on four walks and two at-bats. Lieberman then stepped in, delivering a solid 5 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on nine hits, with three walks and a strikeout. Lieberman steadied the ship, inducing seven flyouts and eight groundouts.
Florida Southern will take on Rollins on Friday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at Chris Bellotto Field in Lakeland, Florida.
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