AUGUSTA, Ga. | Divina Checo hit home runs in both games of a Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader as Georgia College & State University and Augusta University each won a game Saturday (March 29) afternoon at Jaguar Field.
The Jaguars rallied back at the end of the first game to win the opener 6-5, while the Bobcats did their rallying to win the nightcap and rubber match of the series 8-7.
The Bobcats, who won their fifth consecutive league series, improved to 18-15 overall and to 11-4 in the PBC, while the Jaguars fell to 19-20 and 3-12. GCSU remains on the road for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Emmanuel (Ga.) University in Franklin Springs, Georgia.
Both starters - GCSU's Tiffany Caban and Augusta's Ansley Gibson - shut down their opposing offenses for the first five innings of the opener; however, Checo made her way around the bases off of a double, errant throw by the left fielder, and wild pitch to plate the first run.
The Jaguars answered back in the bottom half of the sixth with an RBI single from Bailee Roberts and a sacrifice fly from Gibson, herself. Kam Caldwell helped the Bobcats even the score with an RBI single, and Checo homered an at-bat later to plate three more and give the Bobcats a 5-2 lead.
However, Caban found her way into a bit of trouble in the early parts of the bottom of the seventh, and pitching changes to Elora Wilmot and Annalise Knop could not shut things down, as Augusta scored four runs capped off by a steal of home from Ayellad Howard to walk-off the Bobcats.
Gibson (7-6) picked up the win, giving up seven hits, five runs (four unearned), two walks, and two strikeouts.
Caldwell, Checo and Karlie Gutierrez each had two hits for the Bobcats.
It was double trouble for the Bobcats to open up the rubber match and final game of the series, as doubles from Gibson and Howard plated three runs in the first two innings. However, Checo attempted to cut into the deficit with a solo home run in the top of the third. Augusta plated another pair in the third, before the Bobcat bats began to heat up, making the score 5-1.
An RBI single from Caroline Pollock made things closer in the fourth, right before Sydney Lancaster drove in a pair in the fifth off a fielder's choice and a throwing error from the third baseman. Maddie Todd gave the Bobcats their first contest lead, launching a home run over the wall to plate three runs, making it 7-5.
Augusta rallied back in the next two innings, knotting it up at seven with a home run from Roberts, but Emily Hutcheson came in clutch for GCSU in the top of the seventh, lacing a double into left field to score Gutierrez as the go-ahead run.
Shelby Jones (8-7) limited damage out of the bullpen, working 4.2 innings to the tune of eight hits, two runs, two walks, and four strikeouts.
Every GCSU starter had a hit in the nightcap. Four Bobcats had extra-base hits: Lancaster, Hutcheson, Checo, and Todd.
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.
