SAN ANTONIO, Texas - In their final game of the UIW Invitational, the Green Bay softball team took down Prairie View A&M. The Phoenix took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage, winning 6-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Phoenix got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning thanks to RBI singles from junior Becca Edwards and sophomore Jadin Justman.
GB then lost some of their lead after the Panthers doubled in a run to cut it to 2-1. Green Bay responded and scored three runs in the top of the fourth, two coming off the bat of senior Isabella Curtin, who hit her second home run of the year. Senior Tiffany Giese also singled in a run, which brought the score to 5-1 in favor of the Phoenix.
Prairie View A&M narrowed Green Bay's lead to 5-3 before the Phoenix got an insurance run in the seventh from sophomore Samantha Saloun's one-out solo home run.
Senior Lauren King started in the circle and picked up the win for Green Bay. The right-hander went 3.1 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, allowing one walk, and striking out three. Senior Brittany Baneck also made an impact in the circle for the Phoenix, throwing 3.2 shutout innings while allowing one hit, with one walk and five strikeouts.
Offensively, the Phoenix was paced by Curtin, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBIs. Saloun had a standout effort as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Giese also had a stellar day at the plate for GB, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
GAME NOTES
» The Phoenix out-hit Prarie View A&M at a 9-7 clip.
» Sophomore Gracie Peterson stole two bases in Sunday's game.
» Green Bay went 5-for-11 (.455) with runners in scoring position.
» Saloun's home run is her second on the year.
» Prairie View A&M was led offensively by freshman Cailin Massey, who went 2-for-2 with a double, a home run, and two RBIs.
OVER THE WEEKEND
Several Green Bay hitters got out to hot starts this weekend. After five games, Edwards is slashing .500/.643/1.100 with two home runs and five RBIs. Justman and junior Randi McKay were two others that started the season strong. McKay collected a team-high seven hits in 17 at bats while also getting on base at a .500 clip. Justman meanwhile hit .455 on the weekend, and drove in three.
All three pitchers that appeared for the Phoenix got wins this weekend. Freshman Abigail Gawlinski made her debut, pitching 9.0 innings with a 2.33 ERA. Baneck also had a solid weekend, throwing 16.2 innings with a 3.36 ERA.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will stay in Texas next week for a doubleheader against Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Tuesday. On Wednesday they'll head back to San Antonio for a split doubleheader against Incarnate Word and UTSA.
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