By: Bailey Clark, Sports Information Graduate Assitant

DAHLONEGA, Ga.- No. 6 seeded Georgia College & State University (26-23, 12-15 PBC) took a tough 14-10 loss to No. 3 seeded Georgia Southwestern State University (39-15, 19-8 PBC) in the first round of the conference tournament. 

The Bobcat bats came alive in the top half of the second with a four-run inning in response to a Hurricane three-run first. Ashley Schell (Cumming) pushed the first run around on a single to center field. Emily Hobbs (Thomasville) came in clutch forcing a Hurricane error which resulted in three GCSU runs coming around to score to make it 4-3 for the first Bobcat lead of the day.

The GCSU bats went quiet in the third but responded with a five-run fourth. E. Hobbs again was the catalyst for the offense with an RBI double in the left-center field gap. Jessica Owens' (Social Circle) first hit of the day couldn't have come at a better time as she picked up a two-RBI single up the middle to cut the GSW lead to 11-7. Katelyn Hobbs (Thomasville) swung the big stick with a dinger over the left field wall to push two runs around to make it 11-9.

Divina Checo (Marietta) drove in the final run on a pinch hit in the sixth inning to make it 14-10 GSW. 

Jana Shellhorse (McDonough) got the start and the loss for the Bobcats in the circle. Shellhorse (11-9) pitched one and a third inning allowing six earned runs. Shelby Jones (Kissimmee, Fla.) closed the game pitching four and a third innings with three earned runs coming around. 

The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, April 29 at 3 p.m. to take on the host No. 1 University of North Georgia. 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.