ROME, Ga.- The Shorter Hawks Softball team (11-24, 5-11 CC) split their weekend conference series on Senior Day against the Barton College Bulldogs (14-18, 5-9 CC). Game one went to the Hawks 4-3, and the second game went to the Bulldogs 7-1.  


GAME ONE

The first inning of game one went quickly as both teams found a way to get on base but could not make it home. The Lady Hawks turned it on in the second inning, shutting down the Bulldogs as well as getting hot offensively. Katie Williams got Shorter started by hitting a single to right field. With two outs on the board, the Lady Hawks loaded the bases, and Anna Sanders capitalized, hitting one to right field that drove in two runs.


Shorter plated two more runs at the bottom of the third thanks to the front half of the lineup and strong hitting from senior JoElna Arnold.  Madison Bishop was sensational in the circle today for the Hawks, going a full seven innings with a career-high eight strikeouts while allowing just three runs. Bishop's strong play in the circle helped keep the Bulldogs at bay. The bats went quiet again until the top of the seventh, where Barton found life. The Bulldogs drove in two runs to make it a 4-3 affair. The Hawks held on after a thrilling diving catch from Esperanza Reyes turned into a double play after she downed the runner at second to give Shorter the victory. 



Notable Performances

Madison Bishop: W (4-4), 7.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 K
JoElna Arnold: 2-3, RBI, R
Anna Sanders: 1-4, 2 RBI


GAME TWO

The Hawks struggled in game two, as the Bulldogs drove in two in the opening frame. The visitors plated another two in the third, before driving in three more across the fourth and fifth innings to make it a 7-0 affair. Lizzy Mitchell put a dent in the Bulldogs' lead in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single to centerfield, but it would not be enough as both sides went scoreless with Barton taking game two 7-1. 


UP NEXT

The Lady Hawks go on the road for an in-state double header and face off against North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia. The Matchup is set for March 24th (Tue) at 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.


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