FORT VALLEY, Ga. – A milestone moment paired with an offensive outburst made for a memorable Tuesday afternoon as Georgia Southwestern swept a nonconference doubleheader at Fort Valley State, highlighted by an 11-2 Game 2 victory that secured the 100th collegiate coaching win for head coach
Emma Johansen.
The Hurricanes (12-13) piled up 24 runs and 29 hits across the two games, using explosive early innings in both contests to seize control and never look back.
Tuesday's Top Performers
Georgia Southwestern's lineup delivered production throughout the order in the sweep:
- Peyton Namyslowski: 2-for-2, 4 RBI, 4 runs, double, triple, 2 walks (Game 1)
- Madison Banks: 5-for-7, 3 RBI, 3 runs, 2 doubles, 2 triples
- Lani Dansby: 6-for-6, 5 RBI, 2 runs, 2 doubles
- Kendall Huelsman: 4-for-7, 3 RBI, 5 runs, double, reached base five times in Game 1
- Erin Garland: 3-for-5, 5 runs, 4 walks, RBI
In the circle,
Pyper McCard extended her scoreless streak to 12 consecutive innings with a complete-game shutout in Game 1, while
Caylee Johnson followed with a complete-game effort and 10 strikeouts in Game 2.
Huelsman also extended her on-base streak to 20 consecutive games.
Game 1 – Georgia Southwestern 13, Fort Valley State 0 (5 inn.)
Early Avalanche Powers Hurricanes to Run-Rule Win
GSW wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for four runs in the opening inning and never slowing down in a 13-0 run-rule victory.
The Hurricanes sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning, highlighted by Namyslowski's three-run double that quickly put GSW in control. An RBI sacrifice fly from
Rebecca Hazard later in the frame pushed the lead to 4-0.
GSW continued to apply pressure in the second.
Madison Banks tripled and scored on a steal of home, while Namyslowski struck again with an RBI triple. Dansby added an RBI single to make it 7-0.
The third inning broke the game open completely. Huelsman's RBI double started a four-run frame before
Simone Gillispie delivered a sacrifice fly that plated two runs. By the end of the inning, the Hurricanes had built an 11-0 advantage.
Dansby stayed hot in the fifth, driving in a run with her second double of the game, and later scoring to cap the 13-run performance.
In the circle, McCard was dominant from start to finish. The left-hander scattered four hits over five innings, striking out five and allowing just one walk while recording her second win of the season.
Game 2 – Georgia Southwestern 11, Fort Valley State 2
Johansen Reaches 100 Wins as Hurricanes Complete Sweep
Game 2 brought another early offensive surge, and a historic moment for the Hurricanes' head coach.
After manufacturing a run in the first inning, GSW exploded for six runs in the second to take full control. Banks delivered the biggest blow with a three-run triple, while Huelsman and
Maggie McDonald each drove in runs to stretch the lead to 7-0.
Fort Valley State answered with a run in the second and another in the fourth, but the Hurricanes never allowed the Wildcats to gain momentum.
Dansby continued her perfect day at the plate, delivering RBI singles in both the sixth and seventh innings, while the Hurricanes added three insurance runs in the final frame to seal the 11-2 victory.
Johnson handled the rest in the circle, tossing a complete game with 10 strikeouts while allowing just two runs — only one earned.
The win marked the 100th collegiate coaching victory for Johansen, a milestone reached in just her fourth NCAA Division II season.
Next Up
GSW resumes Peach Belt Conference play with a trip to the University of South Carolina Aiken for a three-game series starting Friday at 6 p.m.
