GARDENDALE, Ala. – Georgia Southwestern powered its way to an 11-3 win in the opener before Miles College answered with an 11-8 victory in Game 2 Tuesday afternoon at Bill Noble Park.
The split marked the first time in five meetings during the Lady Hurricanes' NCAA era that Miles has defeated Georgia Southwestern. The previous four GSW wins in the series were all games called early.
The Hurricanes move to 9-4 on the season, while Miles improves to 8-10.
Tuesday's Top Performers
- Kendall Huelsman: 4-for-7, 2 HR, 2B, 7 RBI
- Madison Banks: 4-for-8, 2B, 3 RBI, 5 R, SB
- Madison Griffis: 4-for-6, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Erin Garland: 2-for-6, 2 2B, RBI, 2 BB
Game 1 – Third-Inning Surge Lifts Hurricanes to 11-3 Win
GSW wasted little time asserting control in the opener.
After manufacturing two runs in the first inning on sacrifice flies from Huelsman and
Peyton Namyslowski, the Hurricanes found themselves trailing 3-2 following solo home runs by Miles in the first and second.
The response was immediate and overwhelming.
GSW erupted for six runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Huelsman to left center.
Madison Griffis delivered a two-RBI single later in the frame,
Riley Ernst added an RBI knock, and the Hurricanes capitalized on aggressive baserunning to take an 8-3 advantage.
The Hurricanes added three more in the fifth, including RBI hits from
Lani Dansby, Banks and Huelsman to extend the margin to 11-3.
Caylee Johnson (5-2) struck out seven in the five-inning complete game, working around six hits while keeping Miles from building any sustained momentum after the second inning.
GSW finished with 12 hits in the opener, including three from Banks and two apiece from Huelsman, Garland and Griffis.
Game 2 – Miles Uses Late Inning to Claim 11-8 Victory
The nightcap followed a dramatically different script.
Georgia Southwestern jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning behind Huelsman's second home run of the day — a two-run blast — along with RBI hits from
Simone Gillispie and Griffis.
Miles answered with five runs in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of timely hits and free passes to swing momentum.
Trailing 7-5 in the sixth, the Lady Hurricanes clawed back. Banks delivered a two-run double to tie the game, and Huelsman followed with an RBI single to give GSW an 8-7 edge.
But Miles had the final response.
In the bottom of the sixth, a game-tying single preceded a three-run homer from Trenity Okedele that pushed the Golden Bears ahead 11-8. GSW was unable to mount a rally in the seventh.
The Hurricanes totaled 10 hits in Game 2, with multi-hit efforts from Ernst, Huelsman and Griffis.
Next Up
GSW has a week to prepare for the University of Montevallo. UM received votes but was left just outside the top 25 in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll. The Lady Hurricanes travel to UM on Tuesday for 4 p.m. EST doubleheader before returning home to open Peach Belt Conference play against Lander University on Friday, March 6.
