By: Bailey Clark, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.- Georgia College & State University Softball (20-12, 7-8 PBC) avoids getting swept by Lander University (18-11, 9-6 PBC) in a momentous seven-run third inning. 

Bobcat softball picked up win number 20 on the season achieving the first 20-win season since the spring of 2019 season. 

The big seven-run third inning for the Bobcats was the story of the afternoon as all of the GCSU runs came across to score during that inning. Jessica Owens (Social Circle) reached base on a bases-loaded error to push the first run around to score. Shea Zweifel (Ormond Beach, Fla.) picked up her first RBI of the contest drawing the walk to push run two across to score. 

The first RBI hit of the day came off the bat of the 2-for-4 hitter Mackenzie Martin (Dacula) on a double rifled into the right-center field gap to push two more runs across. This brought the Bobcat lead to 4-0. Divina Checo (Marietta) muscled a 2-for-3 performance on the afternoon with an RBI infield single to put GCSU in front 5-0. Both Checo and Martin would advance on a wild pitch which brought Martin in to score. 

Jaycee Haycraft (Louisville) pushed the final run of the contest for Georgia College around on an RBI ground out to the shortstop. 

Sydney Lancaster (Woodstock) also had an impressive day at the plate going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a run scored. 

Jana Shellhorse (McDonough) got the start and the complete game win in the circle for the Bobcats. She (8-6) had a stellar day nabbing nine strikeouts through her seven innings pitched. Shellhorse also was lights out as she pitched a no-hitter entering the seventh innings. 

This was the first time in five contests against the Bearcats that GCSU has pulled out the win. 

The Bobcats are back in action Friday Mar. 31 at 3 p.m. as they take on Augusta University on the road. 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.