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HOME OF THE LANDER UNIVERSITY BEARCATS #CLAWSUP
2
North Georgia UNG 24-5, 6-2 PBC
4
Winner Lander LANDER 19-8, 7-1 PBC
North Georgia UNG
24-5, 6-2 PBC
2
Final
4
Lander LANDER
19-8, 7-1 PBC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
North Georgia UNG 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 7 0
Lander LANDER 0 0 1 3 0 0 X 4 3 0

W: Geddings, Mattye (7-1) L: Caroline Conner (4-1)

3
Winner North Georgia UNG 25-5, 7-2 PBC
2
Lander LANDER 19-9, 7-2 PBC
Winner
North Georgia UNG
25-5, 7-2 PBC
3
Final
2
Lander LANDER
19-9, 7-2 PBC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
North Georgia UNG 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 8 1
Lander LANDER 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 8 1

W: Chloe Poss (15-2) L: Sherman, Paige (6-3)

Isabella Santos vs UNG Softball 2026
Hailey Franklin

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

Lander Takes Game One Upset Over No. 5 North Georgia, Splits Doubleheader

GREENWOOD - The Lander softball team earned a statement win over No. 5 North Georgia in game one before falling in a hard-fought extra-inning battle in game two, splitting Saturday's Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at Doug Spears Field.

With the split, the Bearcats moved to 19-9 overall and 7-2 in conference play, now tied with the Nighthawks (25-5, 7-2 PBC) atop the league standings, though North Georgia claimed the weekend series.

GAME ONE: Lander 4, North Georgia 2

Lander turned patience, timely hitting, and a composed performance in the circle into a marquee win over one of the nation's top teams in the opener.

North Georgia wasted no time applying pressure, using solo home runs in the first and third innings to build an early 2-0 advantage. But the Bearcats never wavered, grinding out quality at-bats and forcing the Nighthawks' pitching staff into long innings.

Lander began to shift momentum in the third inning. After working multiple free passes and creating movement on the bases, the Bearcats got on the board when Emorie Anderson came home on a passed ball, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and energizing the dugout.

That momentum carried into a decisive fourth inning that defined the game.

Lander loaded the bases through a combination of walks and disciplined plate appearances, continuing to apply pressure despite having just one hit to that point. With the opportunity in front of her, junior Isabella Santos delivered in the biggest moment of the day, ripping a three-RBI bases-clearing double to left field to clear the bases and give Lander a 4-2 lead.

Despite being outhit 7-3, the Bearcats made the most of every opportunity, drawing nine walks and forcing North Georgia into difficult situations throughout the game.

From there, Mattye Geddings took control.

The right-hander settled in after the early home runs and delivered a complete-game performance, allowing just two runs on seven hits. Geddings kept North Georgia off balance, stranding five runners and shutting down the Nighthawks over the final four innings to secure the upset.

The win marked one of Lander's biggest victories of the season, showcasing the Bearcats' ability to compete with and defeat one of the top teams in the country.

GAME TWO: North Georgia 3, Lander 2 (10 innings)

The nightcap turned into a pitcher's duel and extra-inning thriller, with both teams trading blows before North Georgia ultimately pulled away in the 10th.

The Nighthawks opened the scoring in the first and added a solo home run in the fourth to take a 2-0 advantage. Lander answered in the bottom half of the fourth when Bella Angeli drove in a run with a single down the left-field line.

Trailing 2-1 into the seventh, Emily Allen came through in a clutch moment, launching a solo home run to center field to tie the game and force extra innings.

Both teams were held in check until the 10th inning, when North Georgia's Carleigh Knowles delivered a go-ahead solo home run to left field. Lander was unable to answer in the bottom half despite putting together eight hits on the day.

Paige Sherman (6-3) went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs across 10 innings while working around six walks. Allen led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a home run, while Angeli added two hits and an RBI.

Despite the loss, Lander showed resilience against one of the nation's top teams, matching North Georgia inning-for-inning in a tightly contested finale.

The Bearcats will face another ranked test Wednesday, March 25, welcoming No. 15 Lenoir-Rhyne to Doug Spears Field for a rescheduled doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
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