KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Omaha softball got off to a slow start in the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic Friday afternoon. In the opening game of the tournament, the Mavericks fell to No. 10 Georgia in five innings, 13-0. UNO dropped the second game of the day to Jacksonville State, 3-1.
The Mavs are 3-4 on the season and play two games on Saturday. UNO plays Elon at 10 a.m. (CT), before playing two-time defending national champion Florida at 12:15 p.m. (CT).
No. 10 Georgia 13, Omaha 0 (5 innings)
The No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and another run in the second inning. The Bulldogs added three runs in the third, before erupting for seven in the fourth inning.
Omaha was limited to two hits by All-SEC pitcher Chelsea Wilkinson. Sydney Hames singled in the first and Bailey Schulenberg reached on a single to left field in the fifth.
Laura Roecker started the game and took the loss for Omaha. Roecker pitched 3.0 innings allowing nine runs (seven earned) on eight hits. She walked four and struck out two. Abbie Clanton pitched the final inning allowing four unearned runs on two hits. Clanton struck out one and walked one.
Jacksonville State 3, Omaha 1
Omaha got off to a strong start in the bottom of the first inning against Jacksonville State as Kelly Pattison and Nicole Warren each walked. Following a strikeout, Pattison was caught stealing third and JSU pitcher Faith Sims induced a ground out to end the threat.
Campbell Ditto opened the second inning with a walk and moved up a base on Bailey Schulenberg's sacrifice bunt. Tara Trede was hit by a pitch to give UNO two runners on base with two out, but Sims was able to end the inning with a strike out.
Jacksonville State got on the board in the top of the fifth. Emily Woodruff reached base on a fielder's choice and moved to third on Ella Denes' double. Emily Church cleared the bases with a pinch hit single. Omaha starter Lizzie Noble allowed a walk and a single to load the bases before being replaced by Abbie Clanton. Clanton would walk the first batter she faced forcing in a run, but settled down and retired the next two batters she faced.
Omaha loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning with two out, but Sims was able to induce a ground ball to get out of the inning.
Clanton retired Jacksonville State in order in the top of the sixth. Ditto opened the bottom half of the inning with a double and advanced to third on a Schulenberg ground out. A Megan May ground out allowed Ditto to score. Trede walked to reach base, but Jacksonville State again was able to get out of the inning with minimal damage.
Clanton made quick work of the Gamecocks in the top of the seventh. Warren worked a one out walk, but was stranded when the last two Maverick batters grounded out.
Ditto had the only Omaha hit on the day. The Mavericks drew eight walks on the afternoon, including three by Warren and two by Mancuso.
Noble started and took the loss for Omaha and pitched 4.1 innings allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out two. Clanton pitched the final 2.2 innings allowing one hit while striking out two.
