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Bulldogs Split Opening Games In Georgia
March 1, 2008 Senior Amy Hyerczyk capped a five-run rally in the eighth inning with a three-run home run to lead Butler past Longwood, 9-5, in extra innings in the first game of the Georgia Softball Classic on Friday (Feb. 29). The Bulldogs dropped the second game of the tournament to host Georgia, 7-0. Butler, playing its first game of the 2008 season, battled Longwood (5-4) to a 4-4 deadlock through seven innings. The Bulldogs scored four runs in the first three inning and led 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth frame. That's when the Lancers rallied for three runs on two hits and two Butler errors to tie the game. In the eighth inning, the international tie-breaker was utilized and Butler began the frame with sophomore Bridget Paine on second base. Freshman Haley Oskins immediately gave Butler the lead with a double to left-center field, scoring Paine. Singles by junior Macy McMullen and senior Nikki Naffziger scored Oskins, and Hyerczyk followed with a blast over the rightfield wall. Longwood scored once in the bottom of the eighth for the final margin. Senior Jenny Jacobs paced the Bulldogs with five hits in five trips to the plate, including a pair of doubles. She drove in two runs on the afternoon. Hyerczyk added three hits and three runs scored. Naffziger pitched all eight innings and picked up the win for Butler. In the nightcap, No. 17-ranked Georgia jumped in front with four runs in the third inning. Butler managed just two hits, singles by Hyerczyk and Jacobs, off of Georgia pitchers Sarah McCloud and Kate Gaskill. The host Bulldogs improved to 14-4 on the season.
Butler will continue play in the Georgia Classic with a pair of games on Saturday, March 1. |
