VIERA, Fla. -- The Buccaneer softball team faced a tough test on Friday night in the first game of the Florida Tech Invitational against third-ranked North Georgia. Led by pitcher Gabby Vallee, the Bucs kept the Nighthawks off the scoreboard through four innings, but the Barry bats struggled to muster enough offense to put any pressure on the UNG pitchers.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: No. 3 North Georgia 3, Barry 0
Records: Barry (8-8, 3-3 SSC), North Georgia (12-3)
All-Time Record: North Georgia leads 5-2
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING:
"We played well, but they're a good team," Bucs head coach Sean Cotter said. "This was the first time playing on a turf field for us and North Georgia plays on turf at home so obviously they're used to it. Gabby Vallee threw really well and gave us an opportunity to win. We're excited to get back on the field tomorrow against Georgia College," Cotter added.
SUMMARY:
- B5 - The first run of the game came early in the inning when the Nighthawk's kick off their order with a double from Harlee Williams and a single from Kali Turner on the next at-bat. Both batters came into the game of the bench as pinch-hitters. | North Georgia 1-0
- B6 - Things got worse for the Bucs when Marlee Stowers knocked a triple through the right gap to put another run on the board. North Georgia punted another runner home on the next play. | North Georgia 3-0
NOTEWORTHY:
- The starting pitcher for the Nighthawks, Kylee Smith was the 2018 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division II National Player of the Year as well as being named a consensus First Team All-American. She is 7-0 on the season with a 0. 45 ERA on the season.
- Vallee continues to pitch well for the Bucs. In her last four starts the Tampa native is 3-1 with a 1.30 ERA in 27 innings of work. Vallee has gone the distance in all four starts with two complete game shutouts. She has struck-out 15 batters while only walking three.
ON THE HORIZON:
Tomorrow, the Bucs will take on another opponent from the Peach state, facing off against Georgia College at noon eastern.
