ROME- The Shorter Hawks Softball team began the 2026 campaign on a strong note Friday afternoon as they picked up a doubleheader sweep of Lee. The Hawks took down the Flames in the first game, 12-9, before defeating them 3-2 in the final game.
The Hawks set the tone early with a fiery display of offense in the opening frame.
Alex Hollingsworth began the onslaught as she drove in two on a double to center to get the Hawks on the board. After adding in another run on a past ball,
Katie Williams singled to left field to drive in a run, making it 4-0. Shorter tacked on four more runs thanks to errors from the Flames to take the 8-0 lead. The Hawks put one more on the board as
Lizzy Mitchell singled to give Shorter the 9-0 lead after one inning. The Hawks drove in three more in the third inning to make it a 12-0 affair.
The Flames began to make a push in the fourth, getting on the board with a two-run shot down center field. Lee continued to add in runs in the following inning, plating three to make it 12-5. The Flames continued to make dents in the Hawks' lead in the final inning, adding three more before Shorter secured the final out to take game one in a 12-9 final.
Notable Performances
Alex Hollingsworth: 1-3, 4 RBI, R
Katie Williams: 3-4, 2 RBI, R
Ryle Gattis: 2-4, RBI, 2 R
Ashton Stevens: 2-3, 3 R
In the second game of the afternoon, the Flames got on the board first to take the early lead before
Zariah Webb answered the call in the second inning on an RBI double down center field to draw in a run. Both sides engaged in a pitcher's duel for the next few innings, as no team was able to score.
Anna Sanders broke the silence, doubling to left to bring home two Hawks as Shorter took the 3-1 lead.
Hayden Joyner put the nail in the coffin in the final inning as she capitalized on her solid day in the circle, keeping all runners at bay to give Shorter the 3-1 victory.
Notable Performances
Hayden Joyner: (W, 1-0), 7.0 IP, 2 K, 2 R, 2 ER
Anna Sanders: 2-3, 2 RBI
Zariah Webb: 1-3, RBI
"I am so proud of our girls and how they competed today", said Head Coach
Kelsey Hogan. "Both wins were truly an all-around team effort and I'm excited to see how we continue to grow".
UP NEXT
The Hawks will return to action next Friday as they travel to Chattanooga to compete in the Lee Invitational with game one being at 12:30 PM against McKendree University.
FOLLOW THE HAWKS
For complete coverage of Shorter Softball, follow the Hawks on social media @suhawkssoftball (Twitter), / @suhawkssoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Shorter athletics at goshorterhawks.com
