GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 3, 2024) – Despite holding leads in both games against Furman on Friday, the ETSU softball team came away empty, as the Buccaneers dropped a doubleheader to the Paladins at Pepsi Stadium in Greenville, S.C.
In game one, the Blue & Gold took a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning before Furman outscored the Bucs 10-1 in the final two frames to win the opener 11-3 in six innings. In the nightcap, ETSU scored five runs in the third inning before Furman rallied with six unanswered runs, including the game-winning two-out, two-run scoring double in the bottom of the seventh to complete the sweep with a 6-5 victory.
In the opener, ETSU pounded out 10 hits with
Cameron Young,
Faith Adams and
Jasmine Sanchez each finishing with two base knocks. Young got the Bucs on the board when her double to left plated
Brylee Mesusan from second in the top of the first, while
Riley Nayadley's fielder's choice RBI to short brought home Young, making it 2-1 in the top of the third.
Furman took the lead for good in the fifth when the Paladins plated three runs, and they finished the game in the sixth with a seven-run inning to securing eight-run victory.
Whitley Arnott kept the Bucs in it but suffered the loss (4-6) after allowing four runs on six hits with three walks and two hit batters in five innings. However,
Cameron Lauretta and
Kendall Thackston combined to give up seven runs on six hits with two walks in the final two-thirds of an inning.
Sierra Tufts earned the win (11-9) as she allowed three runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings and Emme Buzhardt picked up her sixth save of the season by registering the final out in the sixth inning.
In game two, the Bucs put up a five spot in the top of the third with three runs coming home on
Sara Muir's sixth home run of the season, giving ETSU the 5-0 advantage. The lead was quickly cut to a run when Furman scored four in the bottom of the frame, making it 5-4.
ETSU was held scoreless for the final four innings as Furman rallied back when Kaitlyn Laudick – who belted a two-run home run in the third – drove in the game-winning runs with her two-out double to left-center in the bottom of the seventh, giving the Paladins the 6-5 victory.
Muir took a no-decision after allowing four runs on five hits in five innings, while Gabby Fowler (0-4) suffered the loss as she was charged with two runs on three hits with one walk in the final 1.2 innings. After earning the save in game one, Buzhardt secured the win (3-6) in game two as she tossed 4.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball.
Following the setbacks, ETSU fell to 11-37 overall and 5-15 in SoCon play, while Furman improved to 23-29, 8-12.
The two teams wrap up regular season play with a single game on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball tab.
