TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 18, 2023) - Georgian Court Softball once again went 1-1 splitting a pair of games at the Tucson Invitational Games Cactus Classic. The day started with the Lions defeating Western Oregon 5-1 before falling to regional foe Franklin Pierce 9-1.

Game 1 - Georgian Court 5, Western Oregon 1
How it Happened
• Georgian Court scored four runs in the later innings to take down Western Oregon.
• GCU picked up seven hits to the Wolves' three.
• Both teams had issues on defense with the Lions committing three errors and WOU two.
• Western Oregon started the scoring with a bases loaded walk in the top of the first.
• Georgian Court got that run right back just batters into the home half of the inning. Taylor Lipkins singled and Adriana Mungo tripled to bring her in and tie the game.
• After both teams were scoreless in the third and fourth, Georgian Court broke the tie with a run in the fourth. Kiara Meikle drove in Coco Dunham, pinch running for Taylor Barraza who led off the frame with a walk, with a two-out single and a 2-1 lead.
• The Lions padded their lead at Barraza ripped a two-RBI single to score Mungo and a pinch-running Trinity Moreno. 
• In the sixth, Jayda Jones lifted a ground rule double to get the Lions their fifth and final run. 
• GCU worked through some baserunners in the seventh to complete the 5-1 win. 

Lion Stat Leaders
• Taylor Barraza reached base twice with a hit and a walk and drove in a pair of runs.
• Adriana Mungo had two extra-base hits with an RBI and a run scored.
• Taylor Lipkins scored twice with a single and two stolen bases.
• Maddie Rabe got the win throwing 3.2 innings in relief allowing just three hits while striking out three.
• Sam Hildebrandt picked up the save with three hitless innings and four strikeouts.

For the Wolves
• K. McGlothan had a walk and an RBI.
• V. Zimmerman reached base twice with a single and a walk.
• M Mayer started and threw the first five innings allowing four runs on six hits with four walks.

Game 2 - Franklin Pierce 9, Georgian Court 1 - 6 innings
How it Happened
• Franklin Pierce doubled up the Lions in hits 8-4.
• While GCU struck out just one time, Raven pitching induced weak contact all afternoon.
• Georgian Court committed three errors on defense leading to four unearned runs.
• The defense let down the Lions early as an error in the first brought home two unearned runs.
• Franklin Pierce picked up two more runs in the third as Bigwood lived up to her name with a two-run home run.
• The Ravens added three in the fourth. Cangiano doubled to drive in two and Bigwood drove in her third run of the day with a sacrifice fly. 
• Georgian Court broke the shutout bid in the sixth as Jayda Jones doubled home Coco Dunham who ran for Kaitlyn Stufft after she singled.
• That was just a blip as Franklin Pierce ended things early as with two outs, Melchert tripled home Bigwood and then scored the game-ending run on the Lions third error of the game.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Kaitlyn Stufft singled twice in three at bats.
• Jayda Jones doubled and picked up an RBI.
• Kiara Meikle reached twice with a single and a walk.
• Janelle Blaszka started and threw two innings giving up four runs (two earned) on three hits while walking two.
• Sarah Clancy gave up five runs (two earned) in 3.2 innings while striking out three.

For the Ravens
• A. Poirot tossed a complete game allowing a run on four hits with two walks and a strikeout.
• A. Cangiana reached base all four times with three hits, a walk, two runs and three RBI.
• H. Bigwood homered and drove in four runs.
• K Warrix scored twice without the benefit of a hit.

News and Notes
• Georgian Court has struck out just 10 times in 109 at bats thus far.
• Western Oregon defeated two nationally ranked teams earlier in the season before the Lions 5-1 win.
• Franklin Pierce returned the favor from last year's NCAA Regional Championship. In 2022, GCU ended the Ravens season with a 9-1 win in six innings.

Up Next
• Georgian Court has one final game left in Arizona. They take on Minnesota-Crookston tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. ET.