March 11, 2012
No. 24 Columbus State Rebounds With 1-0 Victory Versus Charleston
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Dahlonega – Kara Gordon knocked in the only run of the game in the sixth inning and Kelsey Gilliam and Mollie Russell combined to shutout Charleston 1-0 Sunday afternoon as No. 24 Columbus State played their final game in the Captain D's Classic hosted by North Georgia.
The Lady Cougars ended the weekend with a 2-2 record splitting a pair of games with No. 1 Alabama-Huntsville and Charleston and have won nine of their past 11 games.
Gordon delivered the big blow in the sixth inning driving in Nina Rubio with a two-out double to left-centerfield. Rubio walked to begin the frame and advanced to second on a Morgan Knight sacrifice bunt.
CSU (19-9) had an opportunity an inning earlier to get on the board but were unsuccessful. Morgan Staffins ripped a leadoff double down the leftfield line. A flyout to rightfield moved her up to third but the first baseman was stranded following a groundout and flyout.
Charleston's (7-8) best opportunity to score came in the first inning. With one out, Ashlea Wallace was hit by a pitch and reached third on a Aspen Echelmeier single down the rightfield line. Jacqueline Carlin then ripped one to CSU second baseman Kara Gordon but she was able to snag the ball and double off Echelmeier at first.
Columbus State starter Kelsey Gilliam went five solid innings surrendering just three hits while striking out five improving to 3-3. Mollie Russell came on in relief to toss the final two innings picking up her first save of the year. She retired all six batters she faced including striking out the side in the seventh.
Rubio went 1-for-2 and walked once while scoring the only run of the contest. Gordon and Staffins each went 1-for-3 with Gordon picking up a RBI.
Emily Fultz was the hard-luck loser in the ballgame allowing just one run on three hits. She walked two and struck out four as she fell to 5-3 on the season. Logan Tretick, Carlin and Echelmeier each had a hit for the Golden Eagles.
The Lady Cougars will have the week off before they open up Peach Belt Conference action next weekend with a doubleheader Friday afternoon with No. 15 Augusta State. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
