Eagles fall in twin bill at Gulf Coast State

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (April 10, 2013) - Gulf Coast State College tightened its grip on first place in the Panhandle Conference softball standings on Wednesday, sweeping a doubleheader from Tallahassee Community College.

The Commodores picked up a 9-2 win in game one then defeated the Eagles, 7-2, in the nightcap.

Gulf Coast State (40-12), who clinched a berth in the FCSAA's Gulf District Tournament, is now 9-3 in PC play, two games ahead of idle Northwest Florida State College (6-4). Tallahassee (19-23) is now 3-9 in league play, one game back of Pensacola State College (3-7) for the PC's fourth and final postseason berth. 

Brittany Wright took the loss in game one, opposite of Commodores ace and winning pitcher Ollivia McLemore. 

Brenda Santana went 1-for-3 and drove in a run. Ashley Heath-Smith and Krista Garcia scored the Eagles' runs in the opener. 

In game two, Gulf Coast State used a pair of fifth-inning home runs to gain some breathing room en route to the 7-2 victory. 

Emily Sanders hit a three-run homer and Paige Caraway added a solo shot during the Commodores' four-run fifth inning. 

Krysta Hoani took the loss in the circle for Tallahassee while McLemore picked up her second win of the evening for Gulf Coast State. 

Offensively, Tallahassee was led by Heath-Smith, who was 2-for-4 with a single, double and two stolen bases. Alexis Huss and Kelly Engwall each went 1-for-3 and scored a run. 

Tallahassee will enjoy a five-day break before hosting Northwest Florida State in its home finale on Tuesday. Game one of the doubleheader begins at 4 p.m.