Coming off of a split series at GRU Augusta, the Georgia College Bobcats softball team returned home to play host to Carson-Newman in a non-conference doubleheader.
GC got off to a swinging start in the first game. After scoring ten runs in their previous game, it seemed as if the electric offense carried over. The Bobcats plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning of Carson-Newman pitcher, Danielle Kranz (1.1 IP, 6 R, 5 H) thanks to an Abi LeRoy (2-forr-3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) triple and a Lacey Najafi (1-for-3, 2 RBIs) homerun. LeRoy tripled home Holland Coursey (reached on a fielder’s choice) to open up the scoring and just two batters later, Najafi homered to empty the bases. The bottom of the second inning also saw scoring, as LeRoy again doubled home Kristen Brooks and Taylor Campbell (1-for-3, 1 RBI) singled to plate LeRoy.
After the first two innings, not much offense was left for GC. Sarah Howard came in to relieve Kranz and pitched the remainder of the ballgame (4.2 IP) and shut out the Bobcats only allowing three hits.
However, a six run lead was enough for Georgia College ace, Marisa Boyette. Boyette threw the complete game allowing just six hits and two runs off of a Bre Lockett home run to left field in the fourth inning. Carson-Newman would score one more in the top of the fifth but that would be all as Boyette (13-1) notches her thirteenth win of the season and the Bobcats get the 6-3 victory.
Game two saw excellent pitching from GC pitcher Carly Lewis. Lewis pitched the complete game allowing just one run on seven hits. Lewis found herself in a bases loaded jam in the first inning with only one out, but she managed to surrender just one run on a walk and that was all the damage.
DH Lacey Najafi would again supply the long ball for her team in the second game. Najafi (1-for-3, 1 RBI) blasted a solo shot over the left field foul pole in the second inning. Faith Flanders would later score on a throwing error and Kristen Brooks would single up the middle of the infield to score Danielle Bernstein and Hannah Coursey.
Excellent pitching by both teams stopped the scoring early. Carson-Newman pitcher, Sarah Howard, (a carry-over from the first game), pitched just two innings and gave up the four runs in the second inning before being taken out. Lindsay Dean came on in relief, pitching the final four, allowing just two hits.
Carly Lewis (10-3) found herself in a difficult situation as she looked to close out the game and pick up the win. Lewis had the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, but struck out Kaitlin Pritchett to seal the 4-1 Bobcat victory.
The Bobcat’s record improves to 24-4 on the season as they will travel to take on Flagler on Saturday at 12 p.m.
For more information visit: http://www.gcsubobcats.com/sports/sball/index