Finlandia softball falls in GSAC final

Courtesy of Finlandia Athletics

Atlanta, GA – The Finlandia softball team fell in the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC) Championship today to Agnes Scott College, 14-9. The Lions entered the double-elimination tournament as the number three seed and started with wins over Trinity Washington University 8-0 and Salem College 10-9 on Friday followed by a 3-2 loss to Agnes Scott and a 4-3 win over Salem College on Saturday. For Agnes Scott, in their only game against someone other than Finlandia, they defeated Wesleyan College 8-0.

Agnes Scott started the championship game with a six run first inning.  After three innings, Agnes Scott still held the lead 7-3. Finlandia broke out in the fourth with five runs to lead 8-7. The Scotties took the lead again in the bottom of fourth with three runs to lead 10-8. The Scotties scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 13-8. Finlandia and Agnes Scott each scored one run in the sixth inning. Finlandia was unable to score in the top half of the seventh giving Agnes Scott the win 14-9.

GSAC Player of the Year Alexis Lawley (Pell City, AL) went 1-of-4 including a home run and scored 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Senior Adrianna Osuna (Gilroy, CA) hit 3-of-4 including 2 doubles and scored 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Sophomore MJ Huffman (Battle Ground, WA) hit 2-4 and scored 2 runs and 1 RBI.

Over the five games of the tournament, Finlandia had two batters who hit .471, Lawley and Huffman. Lawley had a .941 slugging percentage with her 2 doubles and 2 home runs and 7 RBIs. Two other Lions hit over .350; senior India Slayback (Belle Center, OH) hit .389 with a stolen base and Osuna hit .353 with 2 doubles and a home run and 5 RBIs.

“I am very proud of our team as they fought through some adversity this season,” said Coach Brittany Williams. “They never gave up this year and finished the season on a high note.” Williams finished her first season at the helm of the Finlandia softball team with 14 wins and 18 losses.