On Wednesday, Chargers Softball took on the Gordon State College Highlanders in a conference double header at home. Game one was a tough one for the chargers who lost 8-0 in five frames. The Highlanders were held from scoring until the top of the third as they scored one. Top of the fourth and Fifth the Highlanders scored three runs and then four runs driving the nail in the coffin against the Chargers. The home team offense did not produce to avoid the run rule.
Montana Ledbetter started in the circle and pitched five complete innings for the Chargers. She allowed eight hits and only six of the runs were earned runs.
Izzy Marcotte and Madison Bennett were the only Chargers to tally hits in the five frames of game one.
Game two displayed more fight from the Chargers softball team. Gordon State struck first in the top of the first frame scoring four runs, but the Chargers immediately answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. The Chargers scored a run again in the bottom of the third which was not answered until the top of the fifth as Gordon tallied a run. Georgia Highlands tied the ball game up in the fifth, and neither team was able to produce a run in the sixth and seventh, forcing the international tie breaker rules. Both teams scored one apiece in the eighth inning, but Gordon State scored two in the top of the 10th which were left unanswered, giving the Highlanders the win. Final score 8-6, Highlanders.
Georgia Highlands scored six runs on five hits in the 10-inning ball game. Izzy Marcotte belted a line drive home run in the bottom of the third inning. Lacey Rutledge collected two RBIs, and Taryn Hitchcock collected one. Bradey Tharpe, Halie Walther, Madison Bennett, and Natalia Herrera all collected hits in game two as well.
Maggie Schandera started in the circle throwing one inning. Madalyn Morton came in as relief and threw the remaining nine innings. Morton allowed only six hits, three walks, and zero earned runs. She struck out nine of the Highlanders in nine frames.
Sunday Featured the same teams featured simply different locations. The Chargers took on the Highlanders on their turf. Game one started off with a bang as both teams scored multiple runs in the first inning. The Chargers got things started off as the first three batters of the lineup reached base, and Halie Walther smacked a Grand Slam deep Left center field. However, the Highlanders answered in the bottom of the first frame with three runs of their own and then six more runs in the bottom of the second. The Chargers offense answered with one run in the top of the third as Hailey Cronic homered to right field. This run was not enough as the Highlanders went on to score four more at the bottom of the sixth to put the eight after five rule in to affect.
Montana Ledbetter started in the circle throwing a little over an inning. Madalyn Morton pitched the remainder of the game, giving up four hits and only two earned runs while striking out two of the Highlanders.
Halie Walther and Hailey Cronic led the offensive effort of the Chargers offense as mentioned above. Lacey Rutledge also hit two singles. Taryn Hitchcock, Maddy Hairston, and Madison Bennett also tallied hits in game one.
Game two was a close match up. Georgia Highlands struck first scoring one in the top of the second, which was answered quickly by the Highlanders with three runs of their own. The Charger’s Offense answered again with another run in the top of the third, and one run in the top of the fifth. However, the Highlanders offense scored one in the bottom of the sixth and the Chargers were not able to recover.
Izzy Marcotte hit a homerun in the top of the fifth inning. Kyndal Brown and Lacey Rutledge recorded doubles in the game. Halie Walther and Hailey Cronic also collected singles in game two. Bradey Tharp tallied and RBI.
Maggie Schandera toed the rubber for the Chargers. She pitched the entirety of the game, allowing six hits, only one earned run, and one walk.
Chargers Softball will be back on their home turf on Thursday at 3 and 5pm. See y’all at Star’s Field!