Georgia Military College Softball team returned home on Saturday, March 27th, to face off against the Pioneers from Spartanburg Methodist College in a non-conference doubleheader. The Bulldogs were victorious in both games, winning 7-1 and 19-3. In game two, the Bulldogs plated sixteen runs in one inning, a new program record. "I knew we scored a lot of runs throughout the inning, but I had no clue it was that many until the end of the game, and I was looking through the stat lines. That was fun!" commented Head Coach Ashley Bunn.
Game one starting pitcher Jana Shellhorse struck out the side, and the Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs on three hits. The Bulldogs scored two more runs in the second and fourth innings before scoring the final run in the bottom of the sixth. The Bulldogs were led at the plate by shortstop Brianna Painter, who went 3-4 with two RBI doubles to left-center and a stolen base. Makensey Sapp hit her fourth home run of the season. Sapp and Whitley Ward had two hits each and combined for 3 RBI's. Shellhorse held the Pioneers to one run, a solo home run to left field, on three hits while striking out eleven batters for the second time this season.
Game two was action-packed for the Bulldogs. The Pioneers scored two runs in their opening at-bat. Layla Barron started game two for the Bulldogs and gave up two runs on three hits and an error in the top of the first inning. Barron finally settled in and dominated the remainder of the game. Autumn Land lead off the bottom of the third with a walk to get things started in a power inning for the Bulldogs came to bat three times, scoring two runs. The Bulldogs scored a total of sixteen runs in the inning, highlighted by two three-run home runs. Jessica Owens hit a monster shot to deep centerfield for her fourth of the season. Brook Aiken picked up her second hit of the inning with a home run to left field, the first of her career. Mackenzie Kilpatrick added a two-run home run on a line drive that cleared the fence in left field. Owens had five RBI's in the game, Aiken had four RBI's, and Kilpatrick had two. Painter was productive in the two-hole by picking up three RBI's on two hits and scoring two runs. Barron pitched five innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits and four strikeouts, picking up her first collegiate win.
"We needed this. We have hit the ball well all season, and it was nice to get back to that today after the tough losses last week. Everyone was engaged and contributed to today's success. One of the best parts of today was seeing the pure joy in the faces of players when their teammates achieved success!" commented Coach Bunn.
The Bulldogs are back on the road Monday, March 29th, as they head to Swainsboro, Ga, to take on East Georgia State College in a conference doubleheader. Game times are 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
