CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Wildcats hit a speed bump on Tuesday. After taking each of the last 13 games played, Fort Valley State saw its softball winning streak come to a close as West Georgia took both part of the doubleheader, 14-1 and 15-7.
After the Wolves (18-29) plated four in the second and a pair in the third, Alexia Scott put the Wildcats (25-14) on the board with a leadoff fifth-inning home run for a 6-1 score. West Georgia answered with an 8-run home fifth to close the opener.
In the late contest, FVSU enjoyed it lone lead of the day. Following a scoreless first, Scott singled up the middle to start the at bat, moved to second on an Avery Thomas sacrifice and went to third on a wild pitch. E'Lisia Vickers walked and stole second when Scott went home for the 1-0 edge. FVSU held the game close as Leah Leonard tripled home Mariah Williams before she touched home on a Scott sac fly to cut it to a then 9-7 deficit. The Wolves pushed across six runs for the second time in the contest to reach the run-rule from there in the home sixth.
On the day, Leonard led the Wildcat attack with a 3 for 6 day with a single, double, and triple with two runs and two RBI. Scott finished 2 for 4 with a solo homer, two runs, three RBI and two sac flies. Chasity Kates added a pair of hits in the late game with a run, while Thomas and Riley Jenkins rounded out the hits with a single.
Game 1
FVSU had runners on base in each of the first four innings. Leonard doubled with one out in the first, Laila Leverett walked and reached third in the second and Kates was hit by a pitch in the third.
Game 2
Down 6-1 after two innings, the Wildcats put together their best trip to the plate. Jenkins walked, Kates laid down a bunt single and Williams singled to load the bases. Leonard then lined a RBI hit to left field where two runs came home. Scott lofted a sac fly to bring home Williams before Leonard scored on a wild pitch to pull FVSU to within 6-5.
FVSU will now prepare for its biggest weekend SIAC series when it plays the first two of a 3-game series against Albany State on Saturday, April 20, at home starting at 1 p.m.
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