MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | The Georgia College & State University rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the University of South Carolina-Aiken 2-1 in a Peach Belt Conference softball game Friday (March 14) afternoon at the Bobcat Softball Field.

The Bobcats improved to 11-12 overall and to 5-2 in the conference, while the Pacers faltered to 13-14 and 2-5. The teams will wrap up their three-game series with a noon doubleheader Saturday (March 15).

USC Aiken pushed across a run in the top of the first on two infield singles and a throwing error by the Bobcats. Mallory Shaver had the RBI hit for the Pacers.

It would stay that way until the bottom of the seventh as USC Aiken's Payton Baker (5-8) and GCSU's Shelby Jones (5-6) as turned the game into a pitcher's duel. Jones allowed just five hits and struck out six (all swinging), while Baker surrendered just six hits and retired 15 of 18 batters in one stretch.

Emily Hutcheson started the GCSU winning rally in the seventh on a single to left-center and moved to second on a bunt single from pinch hitter Samanatha Wilson. A sacrifice bunt from Kacie Wiggins moved the runners up 60 feet to second and third base.  Reina Checo followed with a sacrifice fly to left to tie the game at 1, but Shaver fielded the cutoff throw and tried to get Wilson out at second base. However, Shaver's throw sailed into center field and rolled all the way to the fence which allowed Wilson to score the winning run.

Hutcheson led the Bobcats with two hits, while Karlie Gutierrez, Maddie Todd, Wilson and Checo accounted for a hit each. Todd's hit was a leadoff double in the second inning.



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.  Read Full Article