Wednesday afternoon was quite a day for the sophomore players on South Georgia State College’s (SGSC) softball team. The Lady Hawks (29-6, 11-1) celebrated Sophomore Day, swept ABAC in a doubleheader (8-0 and 4-2), and clinched the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) regular season championship.
The Lady Hawks jumped out to an early lead in the opening game of the doubleheader. With eight runs in the first three innings, the Lady Hawks left no doubt they were out to win the game. An RBI double by Whitney Oliver and an RBI single by Shelby Lacy fueled the Lady Hawks’ offense early. The second inning saw a two-run triple by Megan Farmer, a sacrifice fly by Lacy, and an RBI single by Amy Latner. Farmer added two extra base hits.
Samantha Hays recorded the win for the Lady Hawks on her final day on the SGSC mound. She pitched three shutout innings, struck out one, walked none, and surrendered five hits.
With the hopes of ending the home stint on a high note, the Lady Hawks took the field for game two only to have ABAC take an early 2-0 lead. SGSC had different ideas on letting ABAC maintain the lead, and in the sixth inning, the Lady Hawks came back to secure the win. The turning point was a two-run single by Loren Mertz that put Oliver and Lacy across the plate.
Oliver used her last day in her home pitching circle to shut down ABAC. She gave up three hits, allowed no earned runs, walked two, and struck out two during her five innings of work.
SGSC has had an impressive season under the leadership of head coach Nichole Levering. By winning the regular season championship, the Lady Hawks have also clinched the top seed in the upcoming GCAA Conference Tournament.
SGSC will play the final two regular season games at Gordon State before traveling to the tournament April 28-30 in Locust Grove, Ga.
For more information, including a complete schedule, team roster, photos, and scores, visit www.sgsc.edu/athletics.
SGSC recognized its sophomore softball players Wednesday following the doubleheader against ABAC. (L-R): Amy Latner of Thomasville, Ga., Kimberly Gentry of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Whitney Oliver of Dublin, Ga., Macey Chancey of Alma, Ga., Samantha Hayes of Jacksonville, Fla., Summer Lee of Hoboken, Ga., and Shelby Lacy of Middleburg, Fla.
– Submitted by Amy Hancock, SGSC External Affairs Coordinator