ROME -- The Hawks once again made quick work of Union, downing the Bulldogs, 11-0, in five innings Saturday afternoon.
The win keeps Shorter perfect at home this season, and improves their home win streak to eleven games dating back to April of last year; while also improving their conference leading record to 9-1 overall and 6-0 in GSC play.
Niki Cook got things going for the Hawks in first inning when she scored on a bunt single from
Kendall Johnson; who then came in on a single to right field from
Ericka Bynum to take a 2-0 lead. Shorter added to it in the second with two runs, bringing their advantage to 4-0, as
Carson Carriker was plated on a single from
Tiffany Holland and
Maddie Hunt scored on a single from Johnson.
It was the third inning, however, that the Hawks did the major damage as they scored seven times on six hits.
Kameron Carter started off the scoring with Shorter's first home run of the year to make it 5-0 game, but the Hawks weren't done there. Bynum followed with a double, and came in to score on a double from
Peyton Barthel one batter later. Shorter then loaded the bases, and Hunt drew a walk to make it 7-0, before the Hawks once again loaded the bases and
Savannah Thomas was hit by a pitch to bring the score to 8-0.
Taylor Martin, pinch hitting for Johnson, singled to plate Hunt, and
Hannah Draper, pinch hitting for Cater, brought in Cook on a ground out. Thomas came in for the final run of the day on a single from Bynum for the 11-0 final score.
Kalei Kimbrell earned her second win of the year, and had a no-hitter through four innings, but lost it in the fifth as Union (2-13, 1-5 GSC) struck for two hits. Kimbrell preserved the shut out by striking out the side to end the game. Overall, she allowed no runs on two hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.
Cook, Johnson, and Bynum each tallied multi-hit games with Bynum leading the way with three on the day.
Shorter will return to action Monday, February 22 - weather permitting - as they welcome Young Harris to Alto Park for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00pm.
