Chargers complete Florida trip with two more wins

Georgia Highlands College softball completed a six-game swing through the Tampa, Florida area Sunday with two more wins at the Eastern Florida State JUCO Kickoff.

The Chargers blanked Gulf Coast State 8-0 in five innings and defeated Miami-Dade College 3-1.

In the win over Gulf Coast playing as the home team, Georgia Highlands scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and added five more in the fifth to end the game early. Pitcher Madalyn Morton tossed a complete-game, one-hitter to record the win. She struck out one.

Natalia Herrera, who earned GCAA Player of the Week honors, had three hits for the Chargers with one RBI. Taryn Hitchcock finished with a pair of hits including a home run and two RBIs. Madison Bennettt, Izzy Marcotte, Alexis Poole, and Bradey Tharp all had one hit and one RBI. Lacey Rutledge and Haley Overton added one hit apiece.

Against Miami-Dade, GHC scored single runs in each of the first three frames and pitcher Montana Ledbetter (6 IP, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 9K) made it hold up to improve to 3-0 this season in the circle. Gracee Ellis (1IP, 0R, 2H) pitched the seventh inning to earn her first save. Ledbetter picked up GCAA Pitcher of the Week honors. Amanda Mason had two hits including a double for the Chargers on offense. Brianna Romaguera also had two hits. Marla Lavado finished with one hit. Bianca Palacios drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Georgia Highlands (4-2) has a doubleheader Wednesday against Wallace State-Hanceville at Jacksonville State University starting at 2 p.m. The Lady Chargers will then host a four-game series with Louisburg College Saturday and Sunday at Stars Field in Cassville.