#16 Shorter Prevails Over #11 Brenau

Columbus, GA - The #11 Golden Tigers' Softball Team faced #16 Shorter University, this afternoon. These teams have battled twice already this season, resulting in each team winning a series on their home field. Shorter was given the #1 seed, for the East Division, with a 42-12 overall record, and 29-3 in conference. As for Brenau, they were placed in the #2 seed, of the East Division, entering the game 41-8 overall, and 25-6 in the SSAC.

The Golden Tigers and the Lady Hawks have constantly competed for the prized position of the East Division of the Southern States Athletic Conference, and now they were vying for the opportunity to play in the SSAC Softball Championship. Fans in the stadium were under the assumption that this game would to be a nail biter, and it proved to be a close one, as ususal.

The 1st and 2nd innings had the score 0-0 displayed on the board, as both teams tried to gain momentum over the other. However, in the bottom of the 3rd, Shorter broke out with 2 runs, placing a lead of 2-0 on the scoreboard. The Golden Tigers were restless in the 3 innings to follow, as they were cast in the Lady Hawks' shadow. Neither team could manage to put a run on the board, until the 7th inning. At the top of the 7th, Brenau gained a run; however, they did not produce another, which could have tied up the game. The final score was 2-1, with Shorter advancing to the championship, and Brenau returning to Gainesville, GA.

Tiffany Schandera (Columbus, GA) was persistent at the plate, going 2-2, with 2 singles. Both Kristina Reynolds (Bogart, GA) and Sally Duggan (Huntsville, AL) each went 1-3, earning a single. Jacqueline McWhorter (Columbus, GA) and Jana Bryant (Marietta, GA) also went 1-3 at bat, with each batter producing a single. Out of the 7 hits the Golden Tigers made, only 1 run was gained. As for Shorter, they received 2 runs from the 7 hits that they made; while Anna Maness (Seagrove, NC) pitched for Brenau, she collected 4 strikeouts against 24 batters.

The Brenau University Softball Team awaits the announcement of whether or not they will receive a bid to the NAIA National Tournament. Continue to check the Golden Tigers' athletic website for any updates.