By: Bailey Clark, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga.- Georgia College & State University Softball (15-7, 3-4 PBC) took a late 10-9 loss to Young Harris College (11-14, 3-4 PBC) in a bottom of the seventh inning surge. 

The Bobcats were able to bring the first run of the ball game around in the top of the second inning on a Madison Todd (Suwanee) single to left field. GCSU had the lead until a solo shot in the fourth inning by the Mountian Lions knotted the game at one. 

The game would stay tied at one until a sixth-inning surge put Georgia College in front 6-1. Mackenzie Martin (Dacula) kicked the scoring off with a two-RBI triple to deep center field. Martin came around to score as Ashley Schell (Cumming) forced a YHC error. Schell would then come around to score as the speedy MacKenzie Hoffman (Rocky Face) forced another error to put the Bobcats up 5-1. Sydney Lancaster (Woodstock) capped off the scoring with a double rifled down the right-field line for the 6-1 lead. 

The Bobcat bats picked up where they left off as Jessica Owens (Social Circle) delivered a deep double to right field good for the 7-1 lead. Lauren Sommerer (Loganville) brought Owens around on a ground out to the pitcher. The final run of the game for GCSU came around on a single by Todd to give the Bobcats the 9-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. 

The Mountian Lions had a huge bottom of the seventh inning with a walk-off hit for the 10-9 win. 

Jana Shellhorse (McDonough) got the start in the circle going three and two third innings pitched allowing a single earned on six hits. Shelby Jones (Kissimmee, Florida) got the first relief effort pitching two and third innings allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Montana Ledbetter (Hanna City, Illinois) picked up her first loss of the season in her third inning of work as four runs came around to score. 

The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, Mar. 11 to finish out the series with Young Harris in doubleheader fashion with the first pitch coming at noon. Live stats and broadcast links will be available at GCBobcats.com.

Owning the top Academic Success Rate among public schools in Division II, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won three-straight Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. 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 embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports.