MACON, Ga. – Gordon State College softball head coach Ally Hattermann reached another milestone in her coaching career here Sunday afternoon as the Highlanders won the second game of a doubleheader over Wesleyan College (Ga.) to secure Hattermann's 500th career win.
Hattermann, who is in her 22nd year coaching the GSC softball team, watched her squad rebound from a tough 3-2 loss in the opener and explode for a 13-1 victory in the second game to send the Highlanders and their head coach home happy.
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity to get to coach or have coached so many fantastic young women over the years," said Hattermann, who received the game ball from her team. "They are the ones responsible or deserve the recognition for that number (500)."
Game 2 was all GSC as the Highlanders broke loose for a six-run first inning, added six more runs in the third and a single run in the fourth to cruise home with the memorable victory.
Kylee Housman (Zebulon, Ga. / Pike County HS) went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two stolen bases while Breanna Lee (Concord, Ga. / Pike County HS) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, one RBI and a walk.
GSC finished with 10 hits to produce the 13-run outburst, which provided plenty of breathing room for starting pitcher Bailey Odom (Danville, Ga. / Bleckley Co. HS) to work three innings and pick up the win.
Odom allowed just one hit, struck out two and walked one in the shutout effort.
Natalie Song (Cataula, Ga. / Harris County HS) and Kaylee Phillips (Dalton, Ga. / Ringgold HS) came on to work an inning each and finish off the 12-run, five-inning victory.
It appeared Hattermann would get No. 500 in the first game of the doubleheader, but GSC left 14 runners on base and eventually dropped the one-run decision to Wesleyan.
GSC collected eight hits, including two from Lee, and also earned six walks on the afternoon.
But the timely hit was missing for the most part as GSC only managed to find the scoreboard with a two-run third inning.
Claire Williams (Conyers, Ga. / Heritage HS) and Lee accounted for the GSC RBI with one each.
Faith Hager (Conyers, Ga. / Heritage HS) took the tough-luck loss despite going the distance with six innings of work in the circle.
Hager allowed two earned runs on seven hits while striking out eight and walking one.
GSC (2-2) has its home-opener on Thursday as Southern Union State Community College (Ala.) comes in for a 4 p.m. doubleheader. Limited socially-distanced seating will be enforced and face masks are required.
The Gordon State College Department of Athletics is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA). Gordon State College competes in NJCAA Division I in the sports of Women's Soccer (Fall), Men's Basketball (Fall/Spring), Softball (Spring) and Baseball (Spring). Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, Ga., approximately 60 miles south of Atlanta and 35 miles northwest of Macon. Gordon State College offers both two-year and four-year degree programs and believes that our Athletics program provides student-athletes with the opportunity to be successful academically, athletically and in life after their time as a Highlander. Follow GSC Athletics at www.gscathletics.com, on Facebook (@GordonStateCollege #GSCHighlandersForward), on Twitter (@GordonState) and Instagram (gordon_state).
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