AMERICUS, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern struck first and rode another big swing from senior
Peyton Namyslowski, but Columbus State University answered quickly and never relinquished control in a 9-3 win over the Lady Hurricanes in Monday's Peach Belt Conference series finale at Lady Canes Field.
The loss marks eight straight for GSW, which falls to 13-21 overall and 2-13 in conference play.
Namyslowski's Hot Stretch Continues
Peyton Namyslowski continued to pace the Hurricanes' offense, delivering her second home run in as many games with a two-run shot in the first inning.
The long ball gives Namyslowski three home runs over her last five games and a team-leading six on the season. She's batting .435 (10-for-23) over the last seven games.
Her early swing, paired with
Kendall Huelsman's leadoff double, gave GSW a quick 2-1 lead after the opening frame.
Columbus State Responds with Power
The lead was short-lived.
CSU (23-14, 12-3 PBC) answered immediately in the second inning with back-to-back solo home runs to jump back in front, 3-2, before extending the lead in the third on a two-run homer to make it 5-2.
The Cougars continued to apply pressure throughout the middle innings, adding a run in the fifth before tacking on two more in both the sixth and seventh innings to pull away.
Izzy Ripatti led the offensive surge with two home runs and three hits, while the Cougars totaled 13 hits on the afternoon.
Lady Hurricanes Unable to Regain Momentum
GSW chipped away in the fifth inning when
Madison Griffis singled and later scored on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Huelsman, trimming the deficit to 5-3.
The Hurricanes threatened again in the seventh, putting multiple runners on base, but were unable to capitalize as Columbus State closed out the game.
Erin Garland, Griffis and Namyslowski each collected two hits to lead GSW at the plate, while Huelsman reached base three times with a double and two walks.
Next Up
Georgia Southwestern makes a quick turnaround, traveling to Valdosta, Ga., on Tuesday for a nonconference doubleheader against Valdosta State University. The Hurricanes are searching for their first win at VSU in the all-time series (0-26) during the program's NCAA era.
