STATESBORO, Ga. - The Campbell softball team won a pair of games on Friday at the Eagle Classic, first defeating Tennessee Tech 3-0 and then winning a hard-fought decision, 7-6, against Georgia Tech thanks to a two run blast from freshman
Chandler Patterson in the ninth inning.
Sophomore
Katie Baker got the start on the mound for the Camels against Tennessee Tech, and pitched a complete game blanking nine batters and allowing no runs. Baker was extremely effective inside the circle, only allowing four hits and walking none.
However, the game ended up being a pitchers duel as Tennessee Tech's Danielle Liberatore was able to match the success of Baker, striking out nine of the Camel's hitters as well.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Golden Eagles were threatening with runners on first and second and the tying run at the plate, but Baker was ultimately able to escape unscathed.
Offensively, Baker was sharp as well with three hits and an RBI. Chandler Patterson singled in the first inning to make it her fourth consecutive game earning a hit.
Bailey Bjorson, a sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., also singled up the middle to score Lia Batchelor in the top of the sixth. Defensively, Bjorson also had nine putouts. Senior Ericka Nesbitt played a vital role in the field as well, with two putouts and two assists.
Against Georgia Southern, the Eagles jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Morgan Robinson scored Taylor Rogers in the bottom of the first inning. However, Bjorson tied the game up with a solo shot into left field in the top of the next inning, and was able to set the tone for the rest of the game as far as hitting was concerned.
Senior Stephanie Jones had a strong showing at the plate as well, with two hits. In the bottom of the second, a bobbling catch that led to a one-two-three inning was credited to her as well.
It should be noted that Chandler Patterson once again had a hit, this time a hit to left center, which ended up scoring Nesbitt and Jones to give the Camels a comfortable 4-1 lead in the fifth inning. With that being said, Georgia Southern was able to fight back to score three more when A.J. Hamilton scored Macy Weeks off of a single. A few more singles by the Eagles, and the contest was all tied up at four through six innings.
Bring it back to Patterson, as the score was tied at five going into extra innings. Patterson swung on the second pitch she saw to blast her third homerun of the season to eventually win the contest for the Camels.
All three members of the Campbell pitching staff made an appearance throughout nine innings, with
Katie Baker coming back in to strike out two to close out the contest.
