BARNESVILLE, Ga. – Less than 24 hours removed its first doubleheader loss of the 2021 season, Gordon State rebounded with authority as the Highlanders defeated South Georgia State College 9-0 and 10-2 here Monday afternoon in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) softball action.
GSC took just 11 combined innings to take the sweep of SGSC (4-20 overall, 3-15 GCAA), which quickly erased the twin bill loss on Sunday at Georgia Military College.
And in the midst of that return to the win column was a record-breaking effort by Catherine Barefield (Cataula, Ga. / Harris Co. HS), who connected for her 14th home run of the season to set a new school single record in the second game.
A three-run second inning and six-run fourth inning provided GSC with all the offense it needed in game one.
Makenzie English (Williamson, Ga. / Pike Co. HS), Claire Williams (Conyers, Ga. / Heritage HS) and Hailey Hooper (Monticello, Ga. / Piedmont Academy) homered for GSC while driving in a pair of runs each in the nine-run victory.
Chandler Mitchell (Forsyth, Ga. / Locust Grove HS) also had a two-run single as the Highlanders had five different players collect RBIs.
Faith Hager (Madison, Ga. / Heritage HS) dominated in her five innings of work in the circle with a two-hit shutout while striking out seven and walking none to improve to 15-6 overall.
Game two also belong to GSC as the Highlanders once again used the big inning to complete the win.
Along with Barefield's record-setting homer, a six-run third inning and a game-clinching three-run sixth inning sandwiched a single run in the fifth sent GSC to an overall record of 28-11, 17-3 and first place in the GCAA.
GSC's magic number to clinch the GCAA regular season title sits at three and any combination of GSC wins and GMC losses totalling three will earn that first-ever honor outright for the Highlanders.
Barefield has 14 homers, which leads the GCAA, to go along with 45 RBI (3rd in the GCAA) and a .408 batting average (3rd in the GCAA).
Abby Foster (McDonough, Ga. / Ola HS) also connected on grand slam as the Highlanders combined to hit four home runs in the doubleheader and now have 48 on the season – eight behind GCAA leader GMC at 56.
GSC also got a two-hit game from Breanna Lee (Concord, Ga. / Pike Co. HS), who scored twice and drove in a run.
Bailey Odom (Danville, Ga. / Bleckley Co. HS) and Natalie Song (Cataula, Ga. / Harris Co. HS) each pitched three innings while allowing a combined two runs on eight hits with Odom getting the victory to improve to 12-1 on the season.
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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 (@Gordon State Highlanders) and Twitter (@state_ad / GordonStateAD). You can also follow Gordon State College on Facebook (@GordonStateCollege #GSCHighlandersForward), Twitter (@GordonState) and Instagram (gordon_state).