ROCK HILL, SC—The Winthrop softball team scored seven runs over the final three innings to capture its second win in a row with a 7-1 victory over George Washington , Sunday afternoon at Terry Field in the Winthrop/adidas Invitational.
After four innings of little offense for both teams, Winthrop finally broke the scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the fifth as Kelly Blea led off with a home run to right center. Courtney Gaddy, who pinch-ran for Brittany Stoudemire after drawing a walk, scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Jenna Harbin.
Winthrop (6-12) added tacked on three more runs in the sixth after George Washington changed pitchers to start the inning. Ashleigh Jackson ripped a line drive to left center for a double to lead off. At that point the Colonials pulled starting pitcher Heidi Penna for Courtney Martin. Jackson moved to third on a passed ball and then scored on a wild pitch. Veronica Berrie created another scoring opportunity with a double to left field with one out. After Kathryn Eberlin struck out, Kelly Blea reached on an error by the second baseman and Berrie came around to score on the play.
Blea eventually came around to score on an error by the third baseman on a McKenzie Corn grounder.
In the top of the seventh, Winthrop added some insurance runs with a two-run double to right by Brittany Stoudemire. The senior lefty hit the ball well to right field and it looked as if the right fielder might possibly catch it, but the ball continued to tail away from her and out of reach on the warning track.
The Colonials (7-7) ruined the potential second straight shutout for the Lady Eagles as they took advantage of a couple of walks and an error by Stoudemire at second base.
Chelsey Schoenfeldt started the game in the circle and earns her first win of the season as she tossed six innings allowing no runs on three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. She was named to the all-tournament team.
Penna suffered the loss for George Washington and is now 1-3 on the season after allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Berrie finished with two hits and two runs while Stoudemire had two hits and two RBI. Eberlin extended her hitting streak to four games with a double in the second inning.
Winthrop will be back in action on Tuesday as it opens Big South Conference play with a double-header on the road at Presbyterian College starting at 3 p.m.
