ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- One week after battling with West Georgia to open the season, Eckerd faced the Wolves again to open its home schedule.
The Tritons won the first game of the doubleheader, 4-1, behind a dominant pitching performance by
Nikole Van Gennep and a two-run homer by
Meredith McGinnis. Eckerd then dropped the back end of the doubleheader, 8-0 in five innings, thanks to early offensive production by UWG.
The Tritons jumped out to an early lead which they would not relinquish in the first game. Eckerd scored two runs with the bases loaded in the first inning while following with another two runs in the third frame on McGinnis' homer. Van Gennep kept hitters off balance in the circle to protect the Triton lead with a complete game win.
In the second game, the Wolves scored five runs in the second inning and three in the third inning while keeping the Triton bats quiet for an 8-0 win over five innings.
HOW IT ENDED
Game One
Final: Eckerd 4, West Georgia 1
Records: Eckerd 3-2, West Georgia 6-2
WP: Van Gennep (3-2)
LP: Foote (4-1)
HR: McGinnis (1)
Game Two
Final: West Georgia 8, Eckerd 0 (5 Innings)
Records: Eckerd 3-3, West Georgia 7-2
WP: Close (2-0)
LP: Costa (0-1)
KEY MOMENTS
Game One
- Eckerd brought in two runs with the bases loaded in the opening frame. After Crystal Garcia was hit by a pitch, Kaleigh Floyd singled and Van Gennep walked to load the bases for Kaylin Kramer. Kramer was then hit by the pitch to bring in the first run. With the bases still loaded for McGinnis, the Tritons scored another run off an errant throw. McGinnis hit a fly ball to shallow left field where Floyd took a few steps down the line but stopped, drawing a throw from left fielder Peyton Stallworth. The throw sailed toward the Eckerd dugout and rolled along the base of the fence allowing Floyd to score.
- Van Gennep led off the third inning with a shot up the middle and McGinnis followed smashing a ball over the centerfield fence as Eckerd took a 4-0 lead. Eckerd looked to add to its lead in the inning with runners on first and third but the Wolves coaxed a lineout to end the damage.
- Van Gennep shined in the circle, keeping West Georgia hitters off-balance. She let in one run in the fourth inning off a double to left field. From there, Van Gennep and the Triton defense shut down the Wolves offense allowing just two hits over the final three innings to seal the win.
Game Two
- After a quick first inning, UWG scored five runs in the second inning and three in the third to take a commanding 8-0 lead. In the second inning, three straight singles loaded the bases for the Wolves where a double would bring in two runs and force an Eckerd pitching change. UWG added another three runs in the inning on a wild pitch, fielder's choice, and a single.
- In the third inning, UWG got its first two batters aboard again and brought them around on a single and a two-RBI double.
- Eckerd threatened to score in the fourth inning after back-to-back singles by Floyd and Van Gennep but failed to push the run across.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Floyd and Van Gennep both went 2-for-4 in the opener while Floyd tallied another two hits in the finale.
- McGinnis' two-run homer in the third inning of the opener was the first of her career.
- Van Gennep threw a complete game win in the opener while scattering five hits and giving up one run. She struck out three without giving up a walk.
UP NEXT
Eckerd will have a day off before hosting No. 18 Valdosta State on Sunday for a doubleheader stating at 1:00 PM.
