The 2026 season ended for the South Georgia State College softball Hawks Friday in Cartersville at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament with a 9-1, six-inning loss to the Gordon State Highlanders.
The Hawks made a little noise in the third inning but could only manage one run. Bayli Carver hit a one-out single. Erin Robinson followed with a fielder’s choice that forced Carver at second. Then Jayde Rhudy hit a fly ball to left but a Gordon State error allowed her to reach base and Robinson to advance to second. Cambree Isaacson walked to load the bases. Jessica Joiner was up next and also walked, scoring Robinson.
It was the only run SGSC would score in the game.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders scored one in the first, two in the second and one in the fourth to ultimately take a 4-1 lead. Their offense erupted for five runs in the sixth to invoke the eight-run mercy rule and end the game.
Robinson started for the Hawks and went two innings. She allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Emilee Garrett came in and finished out the game. She gave up six runs on 11 hits.
Rhudy, Joiner, and Carver had the only hits for SGSC. Robinson walked and scored a run.
The Hawks finished the season with a 13-23 overall record. The GCAA softball tournament continues Saturday. Georgia Highlands has punched its ticket to the championship game. They will play the winner between Georgia Military and East Georgia State; those two teams play at 10 a.m. Saturday. The championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.
