After copious amounts of rain and COVID cancellations, Saturday was an exciting day at Stars Field for the Georgia Highlands Charger’s Softball team as they finally got to play at home. The energy in the air was electric, and that energy showed throughout the doubleheader action versus the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Fillies.
Game one featured an intense battle as each team went back and forth offensively. Highlands jumped out offensively in the bottom of the first inning as Madison Bennett scored on a line drive by Lacey Rutledge. On the rubber, Montana Ledbetter held ABAC’s Fillies scoreless until the top of the fourth frame where ABAC plated two runs. The Chargers answered with one run in the bottom of the fourth frame, as Halie Walther scored Hailey Cronic with a single to Left Field.
The Fillies went on to score one in the top of the fifth and sixth inning, but this was not enough to overcome the Chargers late game power. Natalia Herrera blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Madison Bennett. Bottom of the seventh rolls around and the Fillies and Chargers are all tied up with a score of 4-4. Natalia Herrera, being the first batter of the inning, shows off her power again blasting her second homerun of the game past the left center fence that calls ballgame. Chargers win with a score of 4-5.
Madison Bennett, Hailey Cronic, and Natalia Herrera (two HRs) all collected two hits in the game. Izzy Marcotte and Halie Walther (RBI) also collected a hit apiece.
Montana Ledbetter threw for six innings of the game striking out nine of the Fillies batters while only allowing four runs. Madalyn Morton strode to the circle in the top of the seventh and effectively shut down the three batters she faced with three strikeouts. The defense showed out behind the pitchers as they collected a triple play with bases loaded, as Halie Walther caught a pop fly, threw out the runner tagging up at third base, and Izzy Marcotte threw out the runner attempting to advance to third.
Game two featured and offensive show for the Chargers as they scored nine runs on 13 hits in five innings. The Fillies scored one run in the top of the fifth frame, but it was not enough to avoid the run rule.
Lacey Rutledge (RBI), Izzy Marcotte (RBI), Natalia Herrera (RBI), and Annsley Todd all recorded two hits each in the game. Taryn Hitchcock, Bradey Tharp (RBI), Halie Walther (2 RBIs), Alexis Poole (RBI), and Madison Bennett all collected hits for the Chargers as well.
Maggie Schandera went the distance in the circle for the Chargers. Schandera threw five innings, striking out three of the Fillies and only allowing one run on four hits.
Georgia Highlands Softball is back in action at home Wednesday, April 7th, versus Gordon State. Games are scheduled to play at 3:00 and 5:00pm at Stars Field. Check out the Chargers Softball twitter or Facebook page for updates.
Photo Credits to Jeff Robinson