Chargers sweep to 4-0 start

February 5, 2025 Clifton Puckett, GHC

Georgia Highlands College softball swept visiting Coastal Alabama-North on Tuesday at Carol Brown Field in Cartersville, 12-3 and 9-0, respectively. The wins put the Chargers at 4-0 on the young season under first-year head coach Tanner Robertson.

In Game 1, GHC used a 4-run 1st inning to jump out to an early lead, but Coastal Alabama responded with 3 2-out runs in the next inning. However, the Chargers rallied big in the bottom of the 3rd to take a commanding lead. Emmalee Freeman (Lee Co. HS) scored Cayden Warren (East Paulding HS) from second base with a single, and shortstop Sapphire Barkley (West Hall HS) followed with a 2-run single of her own. Abbey Yates (Bellevue HS) then scored Barkley with an RBI double. 

The Chargers finished off the Coyotes in the 5th inning. Barkley opened the frame with a triple, and Cass High School product Faith Gauthier brought her home with a single. Emma Darrow (South Effingham HS) capped off the mercy-shortened game with a 2-run inside-the-park home run. Hayden Joyner pitched all five innings to earn her second win of the season.

Game 2 was less dramatic, with GHC scoring a couple of runs in the 1st and one in the 3rd. In the 4th inning, Hailey Love (Hampton HS) began the runs parade with a double, and in the 5th ending, Gauthier ended the mercy-shortened game with another inside-the-park home run. Grace Kendrick pitched all five innings for her first win of the season.

The Chargers return to action Thursday as they visit Gadsden State for a doubleheader.