MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | The Bobcats used a five-run third inning en route to Georgia College & State University picking up a 7-3 victory over Georgia Southwestern State University Friday (April 11) evening in a Peach Belt Conference softball contest at the Bobcat Softball Field.
The Bobcats stretch their winning streak to three, improving to 21-20 overall and to 12-7 in the PBC, while the Hurricanes fell to 21-20 and 7-9. GCSU will wrap up its regular-season home schedule Saturday (April 12) with a 1 p.m. against the Hurricanes. The Bobcats will recognize their seven seniors prior to the doubleheader at approximately 12:45 p.m.
Each team's starters pitched well through the first two innings; however, the Hurricanes stormed first for three runs in the top of the third against Shelby Jones, putting two runners on via a single and walk before Madison Banks hit a three-run homer to center field.
Nevertheless, the Bobcats didn't quit, answering back for five in the bottom half of the inning. GCSU loaded the bases on a fielder's choice, an infield single, and a hit batter before Kam Caldwell scored on a wild pitch to begin the rally, followed by Karlie Gutierrez and Emily Hutcheson RBI singles to tie the ball game at 3. Eliza Kuhne and Caroline Pollock made it five singles in the inning, driving home another two to complete the comeback.
In the sixth, Georgia Southwestern had double trouble, as back-to-back doubles from Caldwell drove in one run, while a double from Hutcheson drove in another insurance run to make it 7-3.
Jones (10-10) cruised after the third inning, finishing what she started with seven strong innings, giving up the three aforementioned runs, and only four hits and one walk. Jones also struck out six.
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.
