CARROLLTON, Ga. - The UWG softball team came up short in the 2023 home opener, falling twice to Georgia Southwestern in a non-conference doubleheader at University Field.
It looked like the Wolves (1-6) might take game one before a three-run Hurricane homer in the seventh gave GSW a 6-5 win in the opener. The nightcap was all GSW as the Canes won 9-1 in five innings.
Game One
The Hurricanes (5-2) jumped out to a lead in game one, using two hits and an error to push a run across against UWG starter Katie Morris. The Wolves answered right back as Isabella Pinto tripled down the line and later scored on a wild pitch to even things up.
Two more hits and an error pushed across two more GSW runs in the third, but once again UWG answered right back, getting one run in their half. Jacelyn Lahr walked from her leadoff spot, stole second and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Pinto, and then crossed home on a passed ball.
That's how it would stay until freshman Calli Hardison hit a line drive home run over the left field fence to tie things up at 3-3 in the fourth.
Both teams got baserunners in the fifth, but no-one scored until another freshman delivered a big blow as Emerson Miller slugged a towering home run off of the University Field scoreboard to break the tie and put the Wolves up 5-3.
With two outs in the seventh and two on, Georgia Southwestern's Morgan Mullin hit a long home run down the left field line that regained the lead for the Hurricanes.
West Georgia got the game-tying run into scoring position in the bottom half, but could not get the timely hit.
Pinto had a pair of hits and R.J. Janke had another to go with the pair of freshmen home runs, giving UWG five total hits. Morris pitched a complete game, giving up five earned runs in 7.0 innings with four strikeouts.
Game Two
West Georgia had just four hits in game two, and scored a single run in the third inning on an RBI single from Pinto.
Meanwhile, the Canes pounded out nine runs on eight hits to complete the sweep.
GSW led just 2-1 after three innings, but struck for three in the fourth and four in the fifth, and after holding the Wolves scoreless in the bottom half, took game two in five innings.
The top third of the Wolves order had three of the four team hits while Addison Sturdivant had the fourth from the eight spot in the lineup.
Macy Ann McKnight got the start and took the loss while Calli Hardison pitched an inning of relief.
Notable Numbers
- The home runs for Hardison and Miller were the first of their careers.
- For Hardison, it was not only her first career home run, but her first career collegiate hit.
Up Next
West Georgia opens Gulf South Conference play on Saturday afternoon, hosting West Alabama in a three-game series. Action starts Saturday at 1 p.m. for doubleheader with the finale set for Sunday at 1 p.m.
