April 11, 2008
DECATUR, Ala. - The Argonauts finished the first day of the GSC Crossover at 2-0 after a 7-4 win over Christian Brothers University. Pitcher Emily Burge got the win with eight strikeouts, giving up nine hits. Burge was a leader at the plate, going 3-for-3 with all three hits being leadoff solo homeruns. Melissa Chastang was 2-for-3 with a double and a homerun. As a team, the Argos had nine hits and defensively had three errors. The Argonauts combined for six homeruns in just two games to kick off the GSC Crossover tournament in Decatur, Alabama. The wins improved West Florida to 30-17 on the season and 10-6 in conference play.
The bottom of the first inning for UWF against Christian Brothers brought about the first score for either side. Heather Bell led off the game with a walk, advancing to second on a Whitney Gay sacrifice bunt. Designated player Jillian LaFrance came up next to advance Bell to third with a single up the middle. With two on, Nicky VanCamp roped a single to right field that scored Heather Bell and advanced pinch runner Franny Bell to third. A sacrifice fly from catcher Kristee Wheeler scored Franny Bell to put West Florida up 2-0 at the end of the first.
Helping her own cause in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Emily Burge led off with a solo homerun to left center field, her 2nd of the season. In the top of the 3rd inning, Christian Brother was able to put two runs on the board, all of it starting with a leadoff double from Victoria Matthews. Another double from Christian Brothers scored Matthews, and the second run came off a West Florida error. West Florida answered in the bottom of the third, adding another run to the board. On with a single up the middle, LaFrance scored on a Caurie Miller sacrifice fly.
Christian Brothers was scoreless in the top of the 4th, but UWF pitcher Emily Burge still had more to say in the bottom of the 4th. For the second time of the game, Burge led off the inning with a walk off homerun, this time to left field to increase the lead to 6-2. Following Burge, left fielder Melissa Chastang had her first hit of the game with a ruled double on a hit to left center that bounced over the fence, then advanced to 3rd on a ground out from Heather Bell. However, West Florida was unable to produce any more runs before the end of the inning.
Christian Brothers added a run in the top of the 5th inning and threatened as they loaded the bases with two outs, but Burge and the Argos managed to get out of the inning without any further harm being done. After a quiet 5th inning for the West Florida bats, CBU's Victoria Matthews took one deep to centerfield with one out to bring the score to 6-4. Another hit for CBU put a runner on base for their cleanup hitter with two outs, but again the Argonauts were able to get out of the inning still leading by two runs.
On top of performing on the mound, Emily Burge was a force to be reckoned with at the plate, homering for the third time of the game in the bottom of the 6th inning. At the start of the game, Burge had one homerun on the season, but increased to four in just one game. Melissa Chastang decided to get in on the action, with her 2nd homerun of the season coming right behind Burge's.
The Argos will continue GSC Crossover play on Friday afternoon starting at noon. Their first game will be against University of Arkansas-Monticello, followed by a second game facing Southern Arkansas University at 2PM.
