COLUMBUS, Ga- Georgia College & State University Softball took a tough loss to Columbus State University in the first road conference game, 13-5.

Georgia College fell to 11-8 on the season and 1-3 in the Peach Belt Conference. CSU improved to 11-9 and 4-0 in conference play.

The Bobcats strike first on a game lead off solo shot by Emily Hobbs. Columbus State counters back in the bottom of the second inning hanging a four spot to take the 4-1 lead. GCSU chipped into the Cougar lead as Kam Caldwell reached on a single through the right side and got into scoring position on a stolen base. Jessica Owens one hopped a ball off the left field fence to score Caldwell on a two base knock. CSU answered in the bottom half of the inning with four more runs to make it 8-2.

Georgia College responded in the fourth frame with two runs. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for Caldwell, and she drove in two on a single up the middle to make it 8-4. Columbus countered with two more runs in the home half of the fourth inning to make it as well a run in the fifth to make it 11-4. Caldwell keeps the Bobcats in the ball game in the top of the sixth inning with an RBI double to score Maddie Todd from second. The Cougars closed the game on a two-run home run to take the game 13-5.

Caldwell led the Bobcat offense on a 3-for-4 performance with three RBI and a run scored. Hobbs has the only other RBI on the evening on her round trip shot.

Jana Shellhorse got the start and the loss in the circle for GCSU throwing two and a third innings with two strikeouts and seven runs scored. Kaitlyn Anders was the first reliever throwing a single inning allowing three runs on two hits. Kelsey Parlor followed, throwing an inning of her own with only one run scoring. Golden Thrower closed the game on two thirds innings with two runs scoring. 

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for three consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won four consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of 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 postseason 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 or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.
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