The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Sports

PAULY

It took longer than most expected, but the No. 8 Georgia softball team finally pulled out a 3-2 win over Georgia Southern Wednesday night.

The unranked Eagles took the Bulldogs (37-9) to an extra inning in a hard-fought pitcher's dual, but freshman Ashley Pauly's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Georgia the victory.

With the win, Georgia finished the season undefeated against in-state opponents and 25-2 at the Georgia Softball Stadium ­- the best home winning percentage in Georgia softball history.

Eagles pitcher Brianna Streetmon held Georgia in check for over seven innings - allowing only five hits and three runs to a Bulldog team that averages nearly seven runs per game.

Senior pitcher Christie Hamilton (19-7) earned the win as she and sophomore Sarah McCloud each pitched four innings, both giving up a run and three hits.

Georgia took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as center fielder Taylor Schlopy scored on a throwing error.

In the fourth, an RBI single by Eagles first baseman Sam Russo tied the game, with a home run by catcher McKenzie Williams giving Georgia Southern the 2-1 lead and underdog momentum.

However, a sacrifice fly by Georgia freshman Jennie Auger would tie the game at 2-2 - a score that would hold through the sixth and seventh frames thanks to the pitching showdown between Streetmon and Hamilton.

After two outs and two walks in the bottom of the eighth, Pauly stepped into the box sporting an 0-for-3 night at the plate.

The first-year second baseman delivered with a single into left field to allow Tess Echols to score the winning run.

"Something had to go my way after Taylor [Schlopy] was robbed the play before [on a diving catch]," Pauly said. "[Sophomore Third baseman] Alisa Goler was telling me to wait on the outside pitch, and that is what I was able to do. This was a big win for us and gives us momentum going into the weekend."

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