MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University scored six runs in the first inning to set the tone and hold off Lander University for an 8-5 win in a Peach Belt Conference softball series opener Friday (April 17) evening at the Bobcat Softball Field.
The Bobcats improved to 24-15 overall and 12-7 in conference, while the Bearcats fell to 26-14 and also 12-7. The two teams will play a 12 p.m. doubleheader Saturday (April 18) to close out the series.
The Bobcats sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, recording six hits to build an early lead.
Stephanie Condland and
Sydney Lancaster each drove in runs, while
Reina Checo Emily Hutcheson and
Addison Black added RBIs in the frame.
Lander answered in the second and third innings, highlighted by a solo homerun by Emily Allen and a two-run single by Samantha Bumgarner that cut the deficit to 6-4.
A two-run single by Black extended GCSU's lead to 8-5 in the fifth, and the Bearcats couldn't mount a comeback.
Hutcheson led the Bobcats at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Black finished with two hits and four RBIs.
Kimber Kent,
Emily Hobbs and
Karlie Gutierrez also recorded two hits apiece.
Sydney Garrett (10-9) earned the win in the circle for the Bobcats, allowing five runs over five innings.
Tiffany Caban recorded the final four outs to earn the save, while
Kennedy Pickett also saw time in relief.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six 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
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