GC Softball hosted former Peach Belt Conference champion the University of North Georgia in a three-game series on April 15 and 16. This series also featured the Bobcats’ Senior Day celebrations. GC softball honored four seniors, as they played their last weekend home series of their careers. 

Game one of the series started a little cold for the Bobcats, as the Nighthawks started out hot. The Bobcats got two quick outs to start the inning before a couple errors, walks and a triple scored three runs for the Nighthawks. 

The second inning started with a UNG home run followed by an easy out to end the top of the inning. 

The Bobcats first five batters reached. The inning started with sophomore Devina Checo getting hit by a pitch. Mackenzie Martian then singled to right field, and a walk that loaded the bases followed.

Three singles drove in the first three runs for the Bobcats. With the bases still loaded, Jessica Owens hit a ball deep to left center field, leaving the park for a grand slam and making the score 7-4 for the Bobcats. 

Again, in the fourth, the Nighthawks showed off their bats. A leadoff double along with another double and single put up two more runs for UNG, cutting the Bobcats lead to just one run. GC was not as fortunate in their half of the inning, leaving a runner on after a groundout to the pitcher and two strikeouts to end the inning.  

After an uneventful fifth and sixth inning, the seventh inning rolled around. A leadoff double by UNG started their rally to take the lead. The Nighthawks produced four runs off four late-inning hits. The Bobcats failed to respond, having a quick three up, three down inning to finish the game, losing 10-7.  

“The first game, I thought our hitting and pitching was great, but obviously, our defense slacked a little bit,” said senior infielder Montana Ledbetter. “When we had runners on, we were able to execute, which shows with the numbers we were able to put up. We hit to win but just came up short.” 

The Bobcats tried to push back from this late-inning loss but could not come close to a win in the following two games.  

Game two of the series was a slow game for the Bobcats, only producing one hit, in the bottom of the seventh. UNG produced six runs off of six hits, including a three-run home run in the top of the third.  

The Bobcats started the final game of the season strong, tallying multiple hits in the early innings of the game. GC struck first in the fourth after a single by Stephanie Condland.  

UNG, however, hit two home runs the following inning, and the Bobcats never recovered. The Nighthawks drove in two more runs, ending the game 4-1.   

While the Bobcats were swept, they played fairly well against this highly ranked team. UNG is not only currently ranked No. 1 in the PBC but also nationally ranked No. 1 in all of Division II softball.  

“Playing this well just reiterates that what we are doing works,” said head coach Jamie Grodecki. “We just have to keep fighting. If we reduced the mistakes, we might have won that first game. We were in the game. We were right there. When you are right there, it’s going to take one or two things going your way to just keep it rolling.” 

Despite the loss, the crowd was still excited to honor four seniors: Montana Ledbetter, Lauren Sommerer, Ashley Schell and Katelyn Hobbs.  

“It feels really innocent to be playing this game,” Sommerer said. “You have your whole family there, like when you used to play rec ball, when your whole family could always be there. Since you’re so far away from home, you get this sense of home spirit and innocence. It is also just fun to come out here and play the game you love with the seniors you have been here with for four years.” 

These four seniors, along with the rest of GC softball, have three more home games this season, all against Georgia Southwestern. Game one will be held on April 24 at 3:00 p.m., and games two and three will be played April 25 at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.