By: Bailey Clark, sports information student

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.- The Georgia College Softball Team (0-2) opened the 2022 season in the Georgia College Invitational with a 5-1 loss to Emmanuel College (2-0) and a 12-4 loss to Carson Newman (2-0) Saturday at the Peeler Complex. 

The Bobcat offense started off the season in game one with Emmanuel with a total of three hits two of which were doubles. Starting first baseman Brooke Lougher (Suwannee) got things started in the first inning with a double to the fence to score MacKenzie Hoffman (Rocky Face). Hoffman reached base via a walk then stole second to get into scoring position. This RBI for Lougher was the only run scored for the Bobcats in game one. Starting pitcher Golden Thrower (Hanahan, South Carolina) got the second multi-base knock in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bobcat baserunners were put aboard and recorded three stolen bases. 

Thrower (0-1) got the start and the loss in the circle for the first game of the season. She gave up three earned runs on four hits. Macy Banks (Homer) went in as a reliever in the first inning, tossing 6 1/3 innings, earning seven strikeouts and only giving up one run on four hits. 

The Bobcats took on Carson Newman in game two of the 2022 season. The offense had four runs on two hits. Shea Zweifel (Ormond Beach, Florida) had the only multi-base knock of the second game as she drilled one into the gap for a double. All of the Bobcat runs came off of miscues by the Eagle defense. 

Montana Ledbetter (Hanna City, Illinois) got the start and the loss in the circle for game two. Ledbetter (0-1) went for three innings allowing six earned runs on five hits and two strikeouts. 

The Bobcats are back in action tomorrow for day two of the Georgia College Invitational. GC plays Florida Tech at 1 p.m. and Emmanuel College at 5 p.m. Live stats and video links will be available at GCBobcats.com.

The proud recipients of the 2021 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GC Athletics is now two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the league's sportsmanship honor. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in post-season competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics holds to the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life". Sign up at @GCBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports.