Highlanders, Bison Split Doubleheader

Freshman right-hander Faith Hager, who picked up the win in Game 2 vs. Southern Union, shown here getting encouragement from teammates Madison Powell and Jordyn Dobson.
Freshman right-hander Faith Hager, who picked up the win in Game 2 vs. Southern Union, shown here getting encouragement from teammates Madison Powell and Jordyn Dobson.
February 18, 2020

WADLEY, Ala. -- Gordon State Softball recovered from an opening-game shutout in its doubleheader here with Southern Union State Community College (Ala.) by generating some late-inning magic in the nightcap and earn a 7-4 win.

GSC (3-7) and SUSCC were tied at 4-4 heading to the sixth inning and that's when the Highlanders struck for three runs in the top half of the inning to take a three-run lead.

Faith Hager (Conyers, Ga. / Heritage HS), who came on to pitch in the fifth inning, recorded the final eight outs of the game -- including scoreless sixth and seventh innings -- and improved her record to 2-3 on the season.

Hager worked 2.2 innings and allowed just two hits while striking out three.

Both teams put three runs on the scoreboard in the third inning, followed by a single run from GSC in the fourth and a run from SUSCC in the fifth to set up the Highlanders' rally in the sixth.

GSC collected 11 hits, including a 3-for-5 performance from left fielder Makenzie English (Williamson, Ga. / Pike Co. HS).

English had two doubles along with a run scored and an RBI.

Second baseman Breanna Lee (Concord, Ga. / Pike Co. HS) went 2-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI.

Third baseman Jordyn Dobson (McDonough, Ga. / Union Grove HS) had two singles in the game and right fielder Camden Steele (Jackson, Ga. / Union Grove HS) had a pair of hits, including a homer and a double while scoring twice and driving in a run.

Designated player Madison Powell (Roberta, Ga. / Taylor Co. HS) also had a home run and four RBI for the Highlanders.

In Game 1, GSC could only manage two hits -- a single each from English and shortstop Taylor McClendon (McDonough, Ga. / Ola HS) -- in the 5-0 loss.

SUSCC got a run in the bottom of the first and then plated four more in the fourth to put the game away.

GSC is back on the field on Sunday, February 23, as the Highlanders play a doubleheader at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Ala. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET.

The Gordon State College Department of Athletics is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA).  Gordon State College competes in NJCAA Division I in the sports of Women's Soccer (Fall), Men's Basketball (Fall/Spring), Softball (Spring) and Baseball (Spring).  Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, Ga., approximately 60 miles south of Atlanta and 35 miles northwest of Macon.  Gordon State College offers both two-year and four-year degree programs and believes that our Athletics program provides student-athletes with the opportunity to be successful academically, athletically and in life after their time as a Highlander.  You can follow GSC Athletics at www.gscathletics.com, on Facebook (@GordonStateCollege #GSCHighlandersForward), on Twitter (@GordonState) and Instagram (gordon_state).