MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort softball team closed out its three-game series against Georgia College & State on Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats swept the doubleheader to secure the series win, jumping out to an early lead in Game Two and closing out a 7-0 victory. In Game One, GCSU used a seven-run second inning to take the game and went on to win 9-1.
Following the games, the Sand Sharks move to 18-13 overall with a 2-7 conference record, while Georgia College & State improves to 10-13 overall and 4-5 in conference play.
GAME ONE
The Sand Sharks were led by Catharine Conway, who recorded a hit and a run scored. Saria Simmons drove in the team's lone RBI.
Conway opened the game with a single and a stolen base before scoring on an RBI fielder's choice to give USCB an early 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, the Bobcats responded with three straight singles to load the bases, followed by an RBI groundout to tie the game at 1-1.
GCSU took their first lead in the second inning. A leadoff single, followed by another single and a walk, loaded the bases. An RBI single gave the Bobcats the lead, and a combination of a walk and two hit batters extended it to 5-1.
The inning continued with a fielder's choice and a two-RBI double, pushing the lead to 8-1.
Georgia College & State added another run in the third inning after a walk and a single set up an RBI single, extending the lead to 9-1.
After scoreless fourth and fifth innings, the Bobcats closed out the 9-1 win in five innings to even the series.
GAME TWO
In the series finale, the Sand Sharks were led by Saria Simmons with two hits, while Tamiyah Whitlock and Taelor Chang each added one.
Both teams opened the game with perfect 1-2-3 innings before the Bobcats struck first in the second inning.
A one-out walk set the stage for an RBI single to right field, giving GCSU a 1-0 lead.
In the third inning, the Bobcats extended their lead with a solo home run to left field, making it 2-0.
The score remained unchanged until the fifth inning, when Georgia College & State added three more runs. An RBI sacrifice fly made it 3-0, followed by an RBI single and an RBI triple to extend the lead to 5-0.
In the sixth inning, the Sand Sharks recorded a single but were unable to score. The Bobcats added two more runs on back-to-back RBI singles after a hit batter and a single, pushing the lead to 7-0.
Georgia College & State closed out the shutout victory in the final inning. USCB loaded the bases, but a strikeout ended the game.
The Sand Sharks return home Friday evening to face Flagler College in a three-game series beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Richard Gray Sports Complex.
