South Georgia State College opened its 2017 softball season January 28-29 at the JUCO Kickoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. The Lady Hawks are coached by head coach Nichole Levering, assisted by Karlie Gillam.
In game one on Saturday, the Lady Hawks started with a win against St. Johns River of Florida. Sarah Smith came close to history with a no-hitter, but a single by a St. Johns River opponent broke up her bid in the seventh inning. Smith still managed to lead the Lady Hawks to a 10-3 win over the SJR Vikings as she pitched seven innings and allowed three earned runs, three hits and four walks while striking out four.
The Lady Hawks’ bats were on fire as they scored a total of 10 runs. Allyson Dowdy racked up two RBIs on two hits for SGSC. Megan Farmer brought in a run on a double in a third inning rally. The Lady Hawks piled on two more runs in the top of the sixth when a passed ball scored Natalie Reveille single by Dowdy, bringing home Logan Mullis. The seventh inning brought more action as SGSC scored on a two-run double by Dowdy, an RBI single by Tess Robinson, a two-run double by Mullis, and an RBI double by Dowdy.
An early lead was not enough for SGSC in game two as they lost to Santa Fe of Florida by a score of 5-4. The Lady Hawks built an early edge on Saturday, but Santa Fe roared back to steal a victory. SGSC led until the fourth inning, Santa Fe worked its way back and took the lead on an RBI single by a Santa Fe player. Abbi Lewis was the game’s losing pitcher. She lasted just 3 2/3 innings, walked two, struck out one, and allowed four runs. Santa Fe jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second and never surrendered the lead after the fourth inning.
In game three, SGSC outlasted Polk State from Florida after seven lead changes, squeaking out a 6-5 win after a late game sacrifice fly by Makayla Clark, scoring Megan Farmer and giving the Lady Hawks the final lead.
In the top of the second, SGSC grabbed the early lead, 1-0. Kelsey Davis started the rally for the Lady Hawks with a single. Lyons singled, scoring Tess Robinson. They would not relinquish the lead as Polk was unable to weather a two-run sixth inning deficit. Chelsea Lyons got on base three times in the game for the Lady Hawks. She scored one run and had one RBI and singled in the second and fourth innings. Sarah Smith recorded the win for SGSC as she allowed only three runs over four innings. Smith struck out two, walked one and gave up five hits.
For more information, including a complete schedule, team roster, photos, and scores, visit www.sgsc.edu/athletics.
– Submitted