Chargers win two elimination games to reach GCAA semifinal

May 1, 2025

Georgia Highlands College softball won two elimination games on Thursday and advanced to the final day of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament.

The Chargers (37-15) will play Gordon State (23-25) on Friday at 10 a.m. in a semifinal elimination game. The winner will advance to the championship round against Georgia Military College (30-15) — the only unbeaten team remaining in the double-elimination tournament.

On Thursday, GHC beat South Georgia State 18-1 and scored five unanswered runs over the final three innings to earn a 12-11 walk-off victory over East Georgia State.

Ahmani Green went 4-for-4, including a three-run home run and two-run doubles, totaling eight RBI in the win over South Georgia State. Abbi Hall was also 4-for-4 with two RBI. Maci Andrews (home run, three RBI), Mary Catherine Kimball (double, RBI), Emma Darrow, Emmalee Freeman, and Abbey Yates (double) produced two hits. Chloe Fowler and Hayden Joyner (sacrifice fly, three RBI) added one hit.

The Chargers' offense, with 20 hits, provided ample support for Grace Kendrick on the mound. She pitched the entire five innings, giving up just one earned run on two hits and two walks, while striking out two batters.

In the nightcap, Georgia Highlands trailed 6-0 but struck for seven runs in the bottom of the second to get back into the game. East Georgia pushed back with five runs over their subsequent three frames to take an 11-7 lead. The Chargers answered with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the score, and Freeman bounced a bases-loaded single into left field in the bottom of the seventh inning for a walk-off victory.

Kendrick collected her second win of the day in the circle with two innings of relief. She did not allow a run in the sixth and seventh innings while scattering three hits and two walks. Kendrick fanned three. Joyner (1.1 IP, 4ER, 5H, 1BB, 3K) made the pitching start, and Hannah Mounce (3.2 IP, 7R, 3ER, 6H, 3BB)  pitched in middle relief.

Kimball (double, four RBI) and Freeman (home run, four RBI) led the Chargers’ 17-hit attack in Game 2 with three hits. Andrews (home run, double, three RBI), Joyner (RBI), Yates, and Warren contributed two hits. Darrow, Hall, and Hailey Love added one hit.