Chargers Survive and Advance, Sweep Day 2 of GCAA Tournament

It was a tale of two games for the Georgia Highlands College softball team on Day 2 of the GCAA tournament, but the end result was the same: two wins, a season still alive, and a rematch with Gordon State looming. The Chargers dominated South Georgia State 18-1 in the early game before staging a dramatic comeback to edge East Georgia State 12-11 in the nightcap.

Game 1: Chargers Crush SGSC 18-1

The opener was all Georgia Highlands from the jump, as the Chargers exploded for 9 runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Ahmani Green (Worth Co. HS) and Abbi Hall (Metter HS) both delivered perfect 4-for-4 performances at the plate, with Green driving in a staggering 8 runs. Hayden Joyner (Bryan Co. HS) and Maci Andrews (Rome HS) added 3 RBI each as GHC outhit the Hawks 20-2.

In the circle, Grace Kendrick (Loganville HS) turned in a steady complete-game performance, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits while striking out two. She threw 45 of her 65 pitches for strikes across 5 innings.

Game 2: Walk-Off Thriller Over East Georgia

The second game was a far more turbulent ride. After falling behind 6-0 in the top of the second, the Chargers responded with a 7-run bottom half to take the lead, setting the tone for a wild back-and-forth contest. Tied 11-11 entering the bottom of the 7th, GHC loaded the bases behind back-to-back walks from Hailey Love (Hampton HS) and Green. Mary Catherine Kimball (Haralson Co. HS) followed with a bloop single, and Emmalee Freeman (Lee Co. HS) capped it off with a clutch RBI single between short and third to walk it off.

Kimball and Freeman each finished 3-for-5 with 4 RBI apiece, while Andrews added another 3 RBI in the win. In the circle, Joyner, Hannah Mounce (Smiths Station HS), and Kendrick combined for 7 innings, surrendering 14 hits, 7 earned runs, and striking out 6.

With the sweep, GHC improved to a perfect 5-0 this season against both SGSC and East Georgia. The Chargers will now face Gordon State at 9 a.m. Friday morning in a win-or-go-home matchup. The victor will then need to defeat Georgia Military College twice to claim the GCAA championship.