Georgia College hosted the annual Bobcat Blast this weekend at the Peeler Complex. The invitational featured four teams: Georgia College, Queens University (N.C.), Columbus State University, and Valdosta State University. Each team would play a double header on both Saturday (GCvsQueens/CSUvsVSU) and Sunday (CSUvsQueens/GCvsVSU).
Valdosta State, ranked number two in the NCAA Division II preseason polls, was a heavy favorite to sweep their four games in the tournament. The Bobcats were set to play the Blazers in the Blast’s finale, a Sunday night doubleheader. The first game was a thriller. Led by junior pitcher Marissa Boyette, the Bobcats played tough defense the whole game. Boyette pitched a gem, throwing a shutout through the first three innings. The Bobcats offense wasn’t shy of a challenge either; they matched Valdosta’s two runs and added a go ahead homerun by Taylor Campbell in the bottom of the sixth inning. Allowing just two runs on six hits, Boyette pitched a complete game, earning her second victory of the season, and leading to the Bobcats upset of the number two team in the nation.
Even though they lost the second game on a walk-off homerun, momentum from the first game (knowing that they can play with top teams) and masterful pitching from the ace Boyette (2-0), should carry with them throughout the season. Georgia College’s next game will be on Feb. 7th at home, as they take on the Anderson University Ravens.