AMERICUS, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern traded punches with No. 5-ranked University of North Georgia in Saturday's doubleheader opener before a late push swung momentum to the visitors, who carried it into a decisive nightcap to complete a Peach Belt Conference series sweep at Lady Canes Field.
The Hurricanes dropped Game 1, 7-5, despite three home runs and multiple lead changes, before North Georgia used an eight-run second inning to pull away for an 11-3 win in the finale.
Georgia Southwestern moves to 13-18 overall and 2-10 in Peach Belt Conference play.
Saturday's Top Performers
- Baelee Garland: 2-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB
- Lani Dansby: 3-for-6, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R
- Kendall Huelsman: 2-for-6, HR, 2B, RBI
- Madison Banks: 2-for-6, 2B, BB
- Rebecca Hazard: 2-for-4, 2 BB
Game 1 – Late Runs Lift No. 5 North Georgia Past Hurricanes, 7-5
Georgia Southwestern showed early power and resilience but couldn't hold off a late surge from the fifth-ranked Nighthawks.
The Hurricanes struck first in the opening inning when
Kendall Huelsman launched a solo home run to left, giving GSW a 1-0 lead.
North Georgia answered with two unearned runs in the second, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to move in front, 2-1.
GSW responded again in the fourth.
Baelee Garland drew a walk ahead of
Lani Dansby, who crushed a two-run homer to left field to flip the lead back in favor of the Hurricanes at 3-2.
After North Georgia regained the edge with two runs in the fifth, the Hurricanes delivered another counterpunch in the bottom half.
Peyton Namyslowski singled to spark the inning before Garland launched a two-run home run to left, pushing GSW back in front, 5-4.
The lead was short-lived.
North Georgia tied the game in the sixth on an RBI bunt single and took the lead moments later on a sacrifice fly. The Nighthawks added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single to extend the margin to 7-5.
Georgia Southwestern threatened in the sixth, putting runners on second and third with one out, but couldn't break through against the North Georgia bullpen.
Caylee Johnson went the distance in the circle, allowing eight hits and seven runs (five earned) with two strikeouts.
Game 2 – Big Second Inning Powers North Georgia to 11-3 Win
North Georgia seized control of the series finale with one decisive inning.
After a quiet first, the Nighthawks erupted for eight runs in the second, stringing together seven hits — including a three-run home run — and taking advantage of defensive miscues to build an early 8-0 lead.
Georgia Southwestern had limited opportunities early but broke through in the fourth.
Baelee Garland scored on a sacrifice fly to get the Hurricanes on the board.
GSW added two more in the fifth when Garland delivered again, blasting her second home run of the day — a two-run shot to right center that cut the deficit to 11-3.
The Lady Hurricanes continued to put runners on base late, collecting seven hits in the game, but couldn't chip further into the lead.
Up Next
GSW returns to action Friday, opening a Peach Belt Conference series against Columbus State University at 6 p.m. at Lady Canes Field.
