May 5, 2002
CHATTANOOGA, TN - The Furman softball team lost its first game of the 2002 Sonic Southern Conference Tournament as the Lady Paladins dropped a 3-2 decision to Georgia Southern at Jim Frost Stadium.
Georgia Southern took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year Crystal Crews singled in Stacie Cooper for the Eagles.
Georgia Southern increased their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning. Back-to-back walks, followed by a wild pitch by Furman pitcher Meagen Johnson, led to an Eagle run as Kim Griffin scored on a Suzanne Pansulla fielder's choice.
Furman's bats awoke in the top of the fourth inning, as Jessica Matthews led off with a double down the left field line. Kate Morrison followed with a bunt single, and Melissa Hutton loaded the bases by reaching on an error. Rachel Henley replaced Meagen Johnson at pitcher for Furman and put the Lady Paladins on the board with an RBI single scoring Matthews. LaKerah Barr tied the game at 2-2 with a two-out single to centerfield, scoring Hutton.
Georgia Southern had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as back-to-back singles by Meghan Correia and Kelly Blazi led to Lady Eagles at first and third with only one out. Furman second-baseman Caroline Evans ended the rally, making a spectacular diving catch to her right and potentially saving an extra base hit and the game-winning run. Evans threw to first base to double up Blazi and preserve the tie game for the Lady Paladins.
Georgia Southern worked the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh with two walks and a double. The Eagles' Julie Peel singled in pinch-runner Chrissy Kiefer with one out for the 3-2 win.
Furman fell to 21-23 on the year and face College of Charleston in an elimination game later on Sunday afternoon.