MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University and Columbus State University split a Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader Saturday (March 1) afternoon at the Bobcat Softball Field.

The Bobcats won the opener in thrilling fashion 5-4 in 11 innings and the Cougars won the nightcap 12-4.

GCSU won the series with Columbus State as they improved to 8-9 overall and to 2-1 in the PBC, while the Cougars slipped to 13-4 and 1-2. The Bobcats return to action Wednesday (March 5) with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina.

GCSU hurler Tiffany Caban (4-1) was sensational in the circle as she struck out 11 in the complete game effort while scattering eight hits and two walks.

The Bobcats sent the game into extras at 4 after scoring a run in the bottom of the seventh. Reina Checo started the two-out rally with a walk and came around to score on Kam Caldwell's RBI double to left field.

Again it was Reina Checo in the middle of it in the 11th-inning rally. She reached base to start the 11th after being hit by a pitch. She moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Divina Checo's single back up the middle.

Caldwell led the way with three hits, including two doubles and a triple. Caroline Pollock and Maddie Todd each collected two hits, while Karlie Gutierrez, Todd and Reina Checo each picking up a double. Caldwell and Divina Checo each drove in two runs.

In the second game, the Cougars hit three homers in the first two innings off GCSU starter Shelby Jones (3-4) to jump out to a 6-0 lead when Nova Wright hit the second of her two homers - a grand slam in the second.

Gutierrez had two hits and drove in two runs, while Caldwell posted two hits. Both Gutierrez and Caldwell had doubles in the nightcap.



About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five 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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