Bats erupt in MSC elimination win over FHU

A 6-run 5th inning cost the Tigers a win on Thursday against Cumberland, forcing Georgetown into an elimination game against #21 Freed-Hardeman on Friday. The Tigers turned the table on the Lions by turning in their own 6-run 5th inning that led to a 12-4 GC win, and eliminating FHU from the tournament.

After falling behind 2-0 after the first 2 innings, the Tiger bats came to life in the 3rd. Stevie Shepherd led off with a single and would get to third after an Ella Forish sacrifice attempt that resulted in an error. Destiny Wallace followed with a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Shepherd would score the Tigers first run thanks to a Kaylyn Barnett sac fly. 2 batters later, Mallory Myers smacked a double to center, scoring Wallace and Forish. Sarah Claxon would follow with a RBI single to left, rocketing Georgetown to a 4-2 lead. Freed-Hardeman would score single runs in the 3rd and 4th to tie the game at 4 heading to the critical 5th inning.

Kaylyn Barnett started the inning with a walk. She would get to third after singles from Ashley Shelton and Mallory Myers. Sarah Claxon stepped in with the bags packed and delivered a 2-RBI single to break the tie. Cassie Rannells followed with a fielder's choice that scored Myers and gave GC a 7-4 lead. 2 batters later, Stevie Shepherd delivered a huge double to the center field wall, scoring Rannells and pinch-runner, Brooke Chick. Ella Forish followed with a double that scored Shepherd. In total, the Tigers sent 10 to the plate and scored 6 runs in the inning to take a 10-4 lead. FHU put runners at the corners in the bottom of the inning but Claxon got a critical ground out to end the inning and the Lions last threat.

The Tigers went for the knockout blow in the 6th. With 2 outs, Sarah Claxon reached base for the 3rd time. Cassie Rannells followed with a double to right that scored Claxon all the way from 1st. Rannells would come home on a Peyton Beger double to right center, giving Georgetown a 12-4 lead and putting GC in position for a run-rule win.

Claxon would finish the game on the mound as the Lions went quietly in the 6th to end the game. Claxon picked up her 16th win of the season while also going 2-3 at the plate with 3 RBI. Mallory Myers and Stevie Shepherd each went 2-4 with 2 RBI and also scored 2 runs each. In total, the Tigers pounded out 12 hits against the Lions. The game proved a matter of revenge from the regular season in which the Tigers lost 2 of 3 at FHU and scored 1 run in the 3-game series.

Georgetown will take on the winner of Cumberland/Thomas More in another elimination game on Saturday at 3:30pm ET.