Home run barrage, dominant pitching lifts Chargers to doubleheader sweep

It was bombs away Monday at Stars Field as Georgia Highlands softball swept a conference doubleheader with Andrew College winning 3-2 and 15-1.

The Chargers hit six home runs in the twin bill including a grand slam and four others in Game 2.

Maggie Schandera tossed a complete game in the 3-2 win. She allowed two earned runs on four hits and recorded one strikeout.

Natalia Herrera had a pair of hits including a two-run home run. Izzy Marcotte also had two hits including a double. Taryn Hitchcock doubled. Madison Bennett added a hit while Annsley Todd drove in one run with a base hit.

In Game 2, Bennett, Hannah Bobo, Kyndal Brown, and Lacey Rutledge homered along with Hailey Cronic who hit a grand slam in the second inning.

Georgia Highlands built an 11-0 lead in the first two innings and added on four more in the third and fourth innings — all off home runs. The Chargers pounded out 16 hits in the win.

Meanwhile, GHC pitcher Montana Ledbetter tossed a complete game one-hitter. She walked two and struck out eleven.

Cronic finished with three hits including a double, grand slam, and five RBIs. Rutledge had two hits including a double, home run, and four RBIs. Bennett had two hits including her home run and two RBIs. Allison Daffron had two doubles and Alexis Poole contributed two hits.

Herrera, Brown (HR), Bradey Tharp (double), and Bobo (HR) added one hit each in the rout.

Andrew falls to 9-35 overall and 2-14 in conference play.

Georgia Highlands (13-18, 8-8) plays a doubleheader Friday at South Georgia CC and Saturday at Andrew College.