Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 AMERICUS, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern turned in one of its most complete days of the season Tuesday afternoon, riding an explosive offense and timely pitching to sweep Albany State University in a nonconference doubleheader at Lady Canes Field.
Facing a Golden Rams squad that entered the day on an eight-game winning streak and fresh off clinching the SIAC East Division title, the Lady Hurricanes answered with consistent pressure at the plate and resilience in the circle. GSW pounded out 24 hits across the two games and extended its all-time dominance in the series, winning its 21st straight meeting over ASU.
Tuesday's Top Performers
- Kendall Huelsman – 5-for-8, 4 R, 5 RBI, HR, 2 SB (team-leading 11th multi-RBI game; reached base in both games)
- Lani Dansby – 5-for-6, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 2B
- Madison Banks – 4-for-7, 3 R, SB (16th multi-hit game of season)
- Erin Garland – 3-for-8, 3 R, SB (reached base safely for 11th straight game)
- Rebecca Hazard – 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B, BB
- Maggie McDonald – HR, 2 RBI (Game 2); win in relief (5.0 IP, 0 ER)
Game 1: Georgia Southwestern 9, Albany State 3
GSW wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for four runs in the opening inning and never looking back in a 9-3 win over the Golden Rams.
Back-to-back singles from
Erin Garland and
Madison Banks ignited the rally before
Kendall Huelsman delivered the big swing with a two-run single. Dansby and Hazard followed with run-scoring hits to cap a five-hit first inning that put the Hurricanes firmly in control.
After Albany State trimmed the deficit to 5-3 in the fifth, GSW responded immediately. Dansby and Hazard each delivered RBI doubles in the bottom half to stretch the lead, and Huelsman put the game away with a two-run homer in the sixth. The performance marked Huelsman's team-leading 11th multi-RBI game of the season, as she finished with four RBI in the opener.
Huelsman led the offensive outburst, finishing 3-for-4, while Banks added a multi-hit effort of her own — her team-best 16th of the season.
In the circle,
Pyper McCard (5-7) earned the win, scattering eight hits and allowing three runs over six innings before
Jacquelyn Burns closed it out.
Game 2: Georgia Southwestern 6, Albany State 5
The nightcap required a comeback effort, and the Hurricanes delivered with a decisive fifth inning to complete the sweep.
After falling behind 5-1 through three innings, GSW chipped away before breaking through with a four-run fifth. Garland sparked the rally and continued her consistent stretch at the plate, reaching base safely for the 11th consecutive game. Dansby followed with an RBI single to cut into the deficit before
Maggie McDonald delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a two-run homer to tie things at 5-5.
An inning later, Huelsman came through again, ripping an RBI double to score Banks and give GSW its first lead since the opening frame.
McDonald (2-5) took over in the circle and was dominant in relief, tossing five shutout innings, her longest appearance of the season, while allowing just two hits to secure the win.
Dansby continued her standout day with two more hits and two RBI, while Banks and Huelsman each added multi-hit performances in the finale to cap a strong offensive showing.
Next Up
The Lady Hurricanes welcome PBC newcomer Middle Georgia State University to town for a three-game weekend series starting Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday is Senior Day and the GSW seniors will be celebrated prior to first pitch of the 1 p.m. doubleheader.
