Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Lander University

HOME OF THE LANDER UNIVERSITY BEARCATS #CLAWSUP
3
Emory & Henry E&H 2-4
4
Winner Lander LANDER 4-1
Emory & Henry E&H
2-4
3
Final
4
Lander LANDER
4-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Emory & Henry E&H 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 2
Lander LANDER 1 0 0 0 2 1 X 4 7 3

W: Sherman, Paige (3-0) L: D. Good (0-1)

7
Winner Young Harris YHC 7-5
2
Lander LANDER 4-2
Winner
Young Harris YHC
7-5
7
Final
2
Lander LANDER
4-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Young Harris YHC 0 0 5 0 1 0 1 7 10 2
Lander LANDER 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 1

W: J. Moore (4-1) L: Cazares, Brie (1-2)

Paige Sherman vs Catawba 2026
Julie Szmitko

Game Recap: Softball | | Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Bearcats Split Opening Day of Bri Surrento Kickoff Classic

GREENWOOD - The Lander University softball team opened play in the Bri Surrento Kickoff Classic by splitting a pair of games Friday at Doug Spears Field, rallying past Emory & Henry, 4-3, before falling to Young Harris, 7-2.

The annual tournament honors former Lander softball player Bri Surrento, who passed away on March 23, 2020. Each year, Lander hosts the event to celebrate Surrento's life and the lasting impact she made on the program. A scholarship established in her honor is awarded annually to a Lander softball student-athlete, with senior pitcher Mattye Geddings earning this year's Bri Surrento Scholarship.

Lander moved to 4-2 overall following the opening day split.

Game One: Lander 4, Emory & Henry 3

Lander overcame an early deficit behind a complete-game effort from Paige Sherman and timely late offense to defeat Emory & Henry in the tournament opener.

The Wasps struck first in the top of the first inning with a three-run home run, but Lander answered with a run in the bottom half when Emily Allen scored on a passed ball after reaching base earlier in the frame.

Sherman (3-0) settled in from there, limiting the damage and giving the Bearcats an opportunity to rally. The sophomore allowed just five hits and two earned runs while striking out three over seven innings, retiring 11 batters via groundouts.

Lander broke through in the fifth inning when Isabella Santos delivered a clutch two-run single to right center, tying the game at 3-3. Bella Angeli and Allen both scored on the play, capitalizing on defensive pressure.

Brie Cazares provided the decisive swing in the sixth inning, launching a solo home run to left center to give Lander its first lead of the game at 4-3.

Offensively, Angeli and Ava Perkins each recorded two hits to pace the Bearcats' seven-hit effort. Santos drove in two runs, while Allen scored twice and reached base twice, helping spark the comeback.

Sherman closed out the victory with a scoreless seventh inning to secure the complete-game win.

Game Two: Young Harris 7, Lander 2

Young Harris used a five-run third inning and dominant relief pitching to defeat Lander in the nightcap.

The Mountain Lions capitalized on defensive miscues in the third, scoring five runs, four of them unearned, to take control of the game. Young Harris added insurance runs in the fifth and seventh innings to extend its lead.

Lander responded in the fourth inning, scoring twice on defensive pressure. Santos reached base and later scored on an error, while Reagan Hill drove in a run on a fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Emily Allen led Lander offensively with a double, while Bella Angeli added a hit and scored a run. However, Young Harris reliever Julie Moore shut down the Bearcats the rest of the way, striking out eight over the final 3.2 innings without allowing a hit.

In the circle, Brie Cazares took the loss after allowing one earned run over 2.2 innings. Geddings, this year's scholarship recipient, provided valuable relief, tossing 4.1 innings and allowing just one earned run while keeping Lander within striking distance.

Lander continues play in the Bri Surrento Kickoff Classic on Saturday at Doug Spears Field, hosting Young Harris at 4 p.m. before closing the tournament against Southern Wesleyan directly after.
Print Friendly Version

Related Headlines