MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.- Georgia College & State University Softball fell in the final game of the three-game set to Augusta University, 9-7.
GCSU fell to 20-18 on the season and 4-11 in the Peach Belt Conference. AU improved to 15-24 and 5-13 in the conference. The Bobcats return to the Peeler Complex on Wednesday April 3 for a doubleheader with the University of West Georgia starting at 4 p.m.
Augusta struck first with two runs in the first inning on a walk and a sacrifice fly.
Karlie Gutierrez made it a brand-new ball game in the bottom half of the frame on a two-run homer over the left field fence. In the top of the second inning, the Jaguars pushed three more runs around to score in the second to make it 5-2.
Stephanie Condland put the Bobcats back within a single run of AU on a two-run shot of her own over the left center field fence making it 5-4. Augusta countered with a four-run top of the fourth inning to push their lead to 9-4.
Jessica Owens plated two runs in the home half of the fourth inning on a two RBI single up the middle to make it 9-6. Condland pushed another run around to score in the sixth inning to try to keep the Bobcats in the game on an RBI single through the right side. Jaguars would win 9-7.
Condland led the offensive production on a perfect 2-for-2 performance including a round trip shot, an RBI single and a pair of walks to push around three RBI and a run scored. Caldwell, Gutierrez and Owens all had 2-for-4 days at the plate. Caldwell had a pair of singles and two runs scored. Gutierrez nabbed two RBI and three runs scored on a home run and a double. Owens had two runs batted in on a pair of singles.
Tiffany Caban got the start and the loss in the circle throwing 1.1 innings with five runs scoring.
Shelby Jones came in as the first reliever throwing one and two thirds' innings with three runs scoring.
Jana Shellhorse pitched the final four innings with one unearned run scoring on three hits while picking up four strikeouts.
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.
