DAHLONEGA, Ga.- Georgia College & State University Softball took a 11-3 five inning loss to No. 2 University of North Georgia.

Georgia College fell to 24-24 overall and 7-14 in the Peach Belt Conference. North Georgia improved to 41-7 on the season and 20-2 in the PBC. The Bobcats return to action Wednesday, April 17 on the road at Newberry College for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

GCSU scored first in the contest on a first inning Jessica Owens RBI double up the middle to plate Divina Checo who reached via a walk. The Nighthawks pushed five runs across in the bottom of the frame. UNG took the 6-1 lead in the second inning on a home run. Karlie Gutierrez struck another missile over the left centerfield fence to add the second Bobcat run. This was her third homer of the weekend on North Georgia pitching. The Nighthawks countered with four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Owens plated Checo yet again this time on a single through the left side. North Georgia added a run in the fourth making it 11-3 to get the win.

Owens led the offense on a perfect 3-for-3 day pushing around two RBI on a pair of singles and a double. Gutierrez had a stellar day at the plate as well going 2-for-3 scoring a run and driving one in on a home run and a single.

Tiffany Caban took the loss on her start pitching a third of an inning with five runs scoring on one hit. Jana Shellhorse came in relief throwing two innings with four runs scoring on five hits. Kaitlyn Anders also pitched, allowing one run on two hits in two thirds innings of work. Kelsey Parlor closed the contest by only allowing one run on one hit in her lone inning of work with a strikeout.

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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