Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROME- The Shorter Softball team earned a series sweep of Clark Atlanta Tuesday afternoon, beginning with a walk-off 5-4 win in game one that would be followed by an 8-5 victory in game two. 


GAME ONE

The Hawks plated the first run of the game, with a fielder's choice from Rylee Gattis that drove in Lizzy Mitchell to give Shorter the 1-0 lead. The Panthers responded with a four-run inning in the next inning to regain the lead and swing the momentum their way. 


After a quiet couple of innings, Lizzy Mitchell broke the silence with an RBI double to cut the deficit. In the very next inning, Alex Hollingsworth hit her first home run of the season to bring Shorter within one and give them their momentum back. The Hawks drew in one more on a passed ball to even the score, which would also force extras. After holding the visitors at bay, Brayleigh Leone closed the door on a walk-off RBI single to give Shorter the 5-4 win. 


Rylee Gattis had a great showing in the circle for the Hawks, pitching the full seven, allowing eight hits, four earned runs, and a season-high six strikeouts. 


Notable Performances

Alex Hollingsworth: 1-3, HR, RBI, R
Lizzy Mitchell: 2-4, RBI, R
Rylee Gattis: W, (3-4), 7.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 K, 2-4 RBI


GAME TWO

The Panthers opened the second game of the afternoon with a five-run outburst to jump ahead early. The Hawks plated two in the bottom of the second, drawing walks to put a dent in the lead. 


After another quiet couple of innings, the Hawks' offense came to life in the bottom of the fifth, beginning with an RBI double by Lizzy Mitchell. Brayleigh Leone and Katie Williams went back-to-back with RBI singles to even it at five before Shorter regained the lead as Madi Curtis drew a hit by pitch. Shorter drove in two more before the inning ended to enter the top of the sixth ahead. The Hawks left no room for the Panthers to come back, shutting the door in the top of the seventh to claim the series in an 8-5 win. 

"I'm really proud of the girls for making adjustments and coming back in game two", said Head Coach Kelsey Hogan. "I am very proud of Rylee and Valery for their complete games. Those two were able to push us through and earn the wins tonight". 


Notable Performances

Esperanza Reyes: 1-3, R, 2 RBI
Brayleigh Leone: 1-3, R, RBI
Madi Curtis: 1-2, R, RBI
Valery Baxter: W (1-0), 7.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 K


UP NEXT

The Hawks will open conference play this weekend as they travel to Emmanuel for a doubleheader series slated for this Saturday. 

 

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