JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The young Wildcats stepped up in competition Friday and did more than hold their own. With two outs in the top of the 10th inning, Leah Leonard blasted a two-run home run over the left-field fence and Rachel Clark held on in the circle in the home side of the frame for a Fort Valley State victory, 6-5, over Edward Waters for the softball split following a 2-1 tight loss in the first contest.
Down 4-3 heading into the seventh, FVSU (8-8/4-1 SIAC East) saw Ashtyn Perkins double to left with one out, move to third on a passed ball and race home on a pinch hit Taylor Orr double for a tie contest. After two scoreless innings, Avery Thomas started on second in the 10th and remained there with the next two visitor hitters before Leonard belted her two-run round tripper, 6-4. In the home 10th, the Tigers (14-8/1-1 SIAC East) cut the margin to 6-5 with a one-out double, but Clark retired the next two home hitters to complete the extra-inning win.
In the opener, Mariah Williams led off the sixth inning with a single, stole second, moved to third on Riley Youngblood's hit and ran in to tie the game, 1-1, on the Edward Waters catcher error. The Tigers saw a lead off single come around to score on a sac fly, 2-1. Edward Waters saw the one-run lead hold up by retiring FVSU in order in the seventh.
Williams led the FVSU hitters with a 3 for 8 afternoon with two runs, a double, an RBI and two stolen bases. Youngblood went 2 for 3 in the first contest and had one RBI, while Leonard finished 2 for 4 with a run, a walk and three RBI in the late game. Perkins, who scored twice and walked, Riley Jenkins and Orr all doubled in the second affair. Alexia Scott lined the other single in game one.
In the circle, Clark took both decisions to go to 4-3 on the year. Over nine total frames of work, the freshman gave up seven hits, two earned runs and struck out two. Taylor Watson logged the first seven innings of the late contest where she allowed seven hits, two earn runs, two walks and three strikeouts.
Game 2
Without a hit in its first five at bats, FVSU fell behind 4-0. With two outs and Perkins, who led off with a walk and then stole second base, Chasity Kates joined her with her own free pass. Williams drove in one with a double and Leonard followed with a RBI single. Riley Youngblood plated Williams when her hot liner to short stop was misplayed to cut it to 4-3 deficit.
FVSU completes its 3-game series on Saturday afternoon (Mar. 2) in a 1 p.m. first pitch against Edward Waters.
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