Shepherd, Barnett lead offensive explosion to sweep DH

A career-high 4 RBI from Stevie Shepherd and 3 runs scored from Kaylyn Barnett set the tone at the top of the lineup as Georgetown won a slugfest over IU Southeast, 12-7, to sweep Tuesday's doubleheader.

The two led off the game with consecutive walks. Mallory Myers did the same, giving the Tigers a bases loaded chance with no out in the 1st. Sarah Claxon stepped in and delivered a sac fly to score Barnett. Cassie Rannells then followed with a fielder's choice, scoring Shepherd and putting GC up 2-0 immediately. Fresh off her game 1 save, Emma Cummings started game 2 and retired the side in the 1st, thanks to an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Georgetown had another bases loaded chance in the 2nd but could not cash in, keeping the score at 2-0, heading to the bottom of the inning. IUS would take advantage and strike for 3 runs off Cummings to take the lead. Georgetown would respond in the top of the 3rd. Peyton Beger drew a leadoff walk but was replaced on base by Ashley Shelton via a fielder's choice. Maria Fratangelo would follow with a line drive double, scoring Shelton and tying the game. 2 batters later, Kaylyn Barnett laced a double to right center to score Fratangelo and put the Tigers back in front, 4-3.

IUS would score 2 more runs in the bottom of the 4th to move ahead, 5-4, and end the day on the mound for Cummings with 2 out in the inning. Elle Prewitt came on in relief to finish out the 4th. Prewitt would move in line for the win as Georgetown found 2 out bat magic in the 5th. Barnett got the rally going with a double to left. Stevie Shepherd followed with an inside-out single to right, bringing Barnett home. After a Mallory Myers walk, Sarah Claxon and Cassie Rannells stepped up with RBI singles, giving Georgetown a 7-5 lead after 5.

The offense kept going in the 6th. Ashley Shelton and Barnett walked to bring up Shepherd with runners at the corners. The freshman came through again with a RBI single up the box, scoring Shelton and sending Barnett to 3rd. Mallory Myers would follow with her own RBI single, extending the lead to 9-5 after 6.

In the 7th, Allison Coffey came on as a pinch hitter and roped a single to right, scoring Rannells and pushing the lead to 5. 2 batters later, Shepherd put the game out of reach with a 2 RBI single to right, giving the Tigers a 12-5 lead. IUS would score twice in the bottom of the 7th but it served as no more than scoreboard dressing in an impressive offensive performance for the Tigers.

The 1-2 tandem of Barnett and Shepherd finished the game a combined 6-9 hitting with 5 RBI, 5 runs scored and 3 walks. It set the table for the rest of the lineup that bashed 14 hits, while drawing 12 walks. Elle Prewitt picked up the win in relief, going the final 3.1 innings, allowing just the 2 7th inning runs.

The Tigers return home this weekend for a series against Pikeville. The 4-game set starts with a Friday doubleheader at 2pm. Only the 1st 3 games will count towards the Mid-South Conference standings.