Gordon State Softball Finishes Up Early Season Tournament Play in Gulf Shores

GULF SHORES, ALABAMA -- The Highlanders entered their third weekend of the season facing once again some top notch opponents in the Sun Chief Classic hosted by Coastal Alabama South.  

Game 1: Gordon State 4 Southern Union 1

The Highlanders defeated Southern Union 4-1 in the first game of the Sun Chief Classic on Friday morning. Southern Union jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Highlanders not only answered back in the bottom half, they never looked back.  Gordon State tied the game at one on a Hannah Rae Griffin double scoring Cheyanne Mosteller from first base. The Highlanders then pulled away for good with one run in the bottom of the second inning on a Morgan Sterrett single scoring Lauren DeLoach, who also singled earlier in the inning. Insurance runs were added in the 5th inning on Addy Allegretti's RBI single scoring Mosteller and then again in the 6th when pinch-runner Brooke Tyson tagged up and scored on a Shelby Sims' deep infield pop-up. Maddie Green earned the victory on the pitcher's mound for Highlanders. She scattered just four hits and one run over seven innings, striking out seven. Mosteller and Hannah Coulter led the Highlanders at the plate with two hits each.

Game 2: Coastal Alabama South 9 Gordon State College 4

The Highlanders jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but quickly fell behind couldn't come back in a 9-4 defeat to the tournament hosts, Coastal Alabama South, in game two on Friday. Savannah Chalfant took the loss for Highlanders. She surrendered seven runs on six hits over one and two-thirds innings, striking out four. Montana Schug, McKenzie Barnes, Hannah Rae Griffin, Cheyanne Mosteller, Brooke Tyson and Addy Allegretti all had one hit to lead Highlanders.

Game 3: Coastal Alabama North 7 Gordon State College 6

Game three on the day was a rematch from the Gulf Coast tournament between Gordon State and Coastal Alabama North. The Highlanders may have won the first meeting two weeks ago in Panama City Beach, FL, but game two would require the Highlanders to come from behind as the Eagles plated six in the bottom of the sixth inning to secure the 7-6 victory.  The bright spot of the game proved that the Highlanders were not going to go down without a fight. Five runs of their own were manufactured in the top of seventh inning. Addy Allegretti got it started with a double and then Shelby Sims reached on an Eagle's error. Allegretti eventually scored on a passed ball and Sims scored on a RBI single by Cheyanne Mosteller. Hannah Rae Griffin reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Morgan Sterrett who previously walked.  Mosteller then reached home on a RBI single by Hannah Coulter. With Griffin on second, Coulter on first and McKenzie Barnes at the plate, the Highlanders had a chance to tie the game at seven, but Barnes' line drive was snagged by the Eagle's shortstop to end the game. Natalie Hardy took the loss in her first collegiate start for Highlanders. She lasted five innings, allowing nine hits and seven runs while striking out one and walking zero. Griffin and Coulter led the offense by each collecting two hits in the game.

Game 4: Gordon State College 6 Central Alabama Community College 0

Maddie Green didn't allow a single run against Central Alabama CC, throwing a complete game shutout and leading Highlanders to a 6-0 victory on Saturday morning of the Sun Chief Classic. The Highlanders got things moving in the first inning, when Morgan Sterrett scored from second on a bunt single by Cheyanne Mosteller accompanied by a CACC throwing error. Hannah Coulter then hit her first triple of the season to the right field corner, scoring Mosteller. Another CACC miscue on a fly ball by McKenzie Barnes allowed Coulter to score before Addy Allegretti hit a shot to second base, doubling up Barnes and ending the inning. The Highlanders would score again the fifth on a Shelby Sims double followed by a Mosteller RBI single. The final run would be plated in the sixth inning when Barnes drew a walk, stole a base and then scored on Allegretti's RBI single to center field. Green was credited with the victory for Highlanders. She went seven innings, allowing zero runs on six hits and striking out seven for her first shut-out of the season. The Highlanders had ten hits in the game. Mosteller went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Highlanders.

Game 5: Wallace State – Hanceville 4 Gordon State College 3 (8 innings)

Saturday's final game was against Wallace State – Hanceville, which was another rematch of an exciting Highlander victory that was played at Chipola College last weekend. This game ended up being a heartbreaker for Highlanders, as they lost 4-3 in extra innings. The Lions were able to plate two runs on two outs in the fourth inning and hold the Highlanders bats still until the bottom of the seventh inning. Hannah Rae Griffin led the inning off with getting hit by a pitch and Hannah Coulter followed with a single. McKenzie Barnes then sacrificed her at bat to move the runners into scoring position.  Lauren DeLoach came up clutch once again for the Highlanders and drilled a single to right-center field scoring Griffin and pinch-runner Montana Schug to tie the game at two. Going into the eighth inning and using the international tie breaker rule, the Lions answered back with two runs of their own. The Highlanders were able to plate one in the bottom of the eight, but left the tying run on the bases. Maddie Greene took the loss for Highlanders. She lasted seven and two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out seven. Morgan Sterrett led Highlanders with two hits in four at bats.

The Highlanders have finished up their tournament play and will begin region games this upcoming weekend. Despite the 6-9 record, the coaching staff feels the Highlanders have played the toughest schedule out of anyone in the league and because of that, are prepared to begin GCAA play at Georgia Highlands. First pitch on Saturday will be at 2:00 PM at Starrs Field in Cartersville, Georgia.