HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — A day that started with missed opportunities turned into an offensive eruption for Georgia Southwestern, as the Hurricanes split a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at USC Beaufort on Saturday, falling 4-1 in the opener before responding with a 13-11 win in a wild nightcap at University Field.
Behind a breakout performance at the plate and timely contributions throughout the lineup, GSW matched its season high with 13 runs in Game 2 to even the day and carry momentum into the series finale.
Saturday's Top Performers:
Game 1 | USC Beaufort 4, GSW 1
The opener saw the Hurricanes battle in a tight contest, but defensive miscues and limited offense proved costly.
GSW broke through in the fourth inning, manufacturing its lone run of the game as
Kendall Huelsman worked a walk, advanced into scoring position, and came home on an RBI single from reigning Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week
Lani Dansby.
Dansby accounted for the Hurricanes' only run while continuing her strong stretch at the plate.
Despite the breakthrough, the Hurricanes managed just three hits in the contest against a strong USC Beaufort pitching performance.
Maggie McDonald provided one of the few extra-base sparks with a double, while
Riley Ernst added a hit and a stolen base.
In the circle,
Pyper McCard worked into the sixth inning and allowed just one earned run, but a pair of unearned runs in the sixth — aided by defensive errors — allowed USC Beaufort to create separation in the 4-1 final.
Game 2 | GSW 13, USC Beaufort 11
If the opener was defined by missed chances, the nightcap was the exact opposite — an offensive showcase filled with momentum swings and a defining response from the Lady Hurricanes.
After falling behind early, GSW flipped the game on its head with a massive eight-run fourth inning, turning a multi-run deficit into a lead they would not relinquish.
The rally featured contributions throughout the lineup, but the biggest swing came from
Maggie McDonald, who launched her sixth home run of the season — a three-run blast that punctuated the inning and gave the Lady Hurricanes control.
Dansby continued her standout day, collecting three hits and driving in two runs, consistently setting the tone as the Hurricanes piled up 14 hits.
Madison Banks added a perfect game at the plate with three hits and reached base five times, while
Erin Garland, Huelsman, and
Rebecca Hazard each drove in runs during the surge.
Even as USC Beaufort mounted multiple rallies, the Hurricanes answered time and again. GSW added insurance in both the sixth and seventh innings, with Dansby and McDonald delivering key RBIs late to extend the lead.
In the circle, McDonald (3-6) stepped in early and stabilized the game, earning the win with four innings of work before McCard returned to secure the save over the final three innings.
The 13-run output matched a season high for the Hurricanes and showcased one of their most complete offensive performances of the year.
Next Up
The weekend series at USCB wraps up Sunday with the finale at 1 p.m.
