LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The USCB softball team commenced its two-game Friday with an upset of No. 6 Georgia Gwinnett, 7-1, but fell in the nightcap, 4-1, to Rio Grade at the Grizzly Softball Complex in Lawrenceville.
INSIDE THE GEORGIA GWINNETT BOX SCORE
Ally Muraskin - 4.2 innings, three hits, no runs, one walk eight strikeouts, win
Maria Molloseau - 2.1 innings, four hits, on run, one walk
Shania Domingue - 1-for-3, two-run home run, two runs scored
Bri Dunn - 3-for-4, double, three RBIs, one run
Jaci Coleman - 1-for-3, two RBIs
HOW THE GGC GAME HAPPENED
USCB's offense wasted no time opening the game with two runs in the first inning. Dunn and Domingue started the rally, and after a groundout, Amber Locasto forced the bases loaded with two outs. Coleman came up clutch with the two-RBI single to left center.
The nationally-ranked Grizzlies made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third, as Sydney Pelaez connected with the one-out, run-scoring hit.
Up by one run, the Sand Shark offense erupt for five runs off three hits in the fourth frame. USCB had two clutch at-bats in the inning, as Dunn connected with a bases-clearing, three-RBI double and Domingue smacked a two-run homer. The two clutch hits pushed the Sand Shark lead to five, 6-1.
Muraskin - who came in relief in the third inning - settled in the circle for the Sand Sharks. She allowed several Grizzlies to reach back from the fourth inning-on, but she forced GGC to leave seven runners on base.
With the explosive five-run fourth inning and dominating pitching, USCB won the first game of the doubleheader, 7-1, over No. 6 Georgia Gwinnett.
INSIDE THE RIO GRANDE BOX SCORE
Dunn - 2-for-3, double
Francie Gaskin - 1-for-3, double, RBI
Domingue - 1-for-3, one run
Muraskin - 2.2 innings, one hit, no runs, one walk, two strikeouts
HOW THE RIO GRANDE HAPPENED
The first two innings of the nightcap went scoreless, but there were chances to score for both teams. Rio Grande left five runners on base in the two-inning stretch, while USCB left three runners on base.
The scoreless drought ended in the third when Rio plated two runs off an error and a ground out.
In the home-half of the third, USCB cut the deficit in half when Gaskin ripped a RBI double to center field. The run-scoring hit made the game 2-1.
Following a quiet fourth inning for both teams, Rio Grande added on a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to take the three-run lead, 4-1.
USCB's best chance to mount a comeback came in the bottom of the fifth when Dunn reached base with two outs. She was able to move into scoring position in the frame, but she was left stranded.
Unfortunately, the Sand Sharks couldn't muster any more chances to score in the final two innings, as they settled for a split on Friday in Lawrenceville.
RECORDS UPDATE
USCB - 7-5 overall
No. 6 Georgia Gwinnett - 13-7 overall
Rio Grande - 10-5 overall
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Sand Sharks will conclude their three-day, six-game stretch on Saturday, March 13, as they will travel to Truett-McConnell at 2 and 4 p.m. in Cleveland, Ga.
