USCB softball battled hard against No.10 Georgia Gwinnett on Friday, but the Sand Sharks suffered a pair of narrow 1-0 and 3-2 losses at Richard Gray Stadium.
The visiting Grizzlies found the board first in the second inning of game one, as Sydney Pelaez came around to score on a groundout after reaching base via a double to take a 1-0 lead. USCB had a chance to answer in the fifth before leaving the bases loaded to keep the Georgia Gwinnett lead intact. Emily Phillips began the seventh frame with a bunt single to put the tying run on, but the senior was thrown out at the plate after an Ashlyn Alte base hit as the Grizzlies survived the late comeback bid.
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Maria Molloseau put up a strong performance on the mound, throwing seven innings allowing just one run while striking out five batters.
USCB found its groove on offense early in game two, scoring a run in the first inning thanks to a Kaleigh Furbush line-drive single through the right side to score Alte and take a 1-0 lead. GGC tied it in the third with a Piper Wagner extra-base knock, but the Sand Sharks grabbed the lead back in the bottom half. After a dropped fly ball extended the inning, Furbush took advantage with another RBI-hit to give her squad a 2-1 advantage. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies scored a pair in the top of the seventh with Lea McFadden and Josie Haulk RBIs to go up 3-2. Rachel Frankhouser reached base in the bottom half for USCB and moved to third with just one out, but a strikeout and groundout ended the game.
Sierra Bilinski shined in the circle, giving up just one earned run through six and a third innings and adding four strikeouts while Libby Carey recorded the final two outs in the seventh. Furbush continued her excellent season on offense, going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI.
USCB (15-15, 6-6) takes eight days off from competition before traveling to Southeastern on April 10.
By Wes Kerr