AMERICUS - It had been four years since the Georgia Southwestern softball team swept UNC Pembroke in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader, until Sunday, when GSW won 7-1 and 4-3 at Lady 'Canes Field.
It was the third conference sweep overall since GSW joined the PBC in 2006-07. The Lady 'Canes took two from North Georgia in 2008.
GAME 1: GSW 7, UNCP 1
The Lady Hurricanes scored three runs in the second and three more in the third inning to open a 6-0 lead en route to the 7-1 victory.
Lyndi Duff had an RBI-single in the second and Heather Hodge drove in two with a single down the left-field line to open the scoring for GSW.
Gabby Buck opened the third inning with a solo blast to center, her third home run of 2011, to give GSW a 4-0 lead. After Nichole Griffin singled, Robyn Butler belted her second home run of the season, a two-run shot to left-center field to give the Lady 'Canes a commanding 6-0 advantage.
After the Braves got on the board with a run in the sixth, Mason Moreland drove in the Hodge for the final run of the game. Hodge dropped a ball in front of a diving Schanique Barrett from UNCP that rolled to wall for a triple prior to Moreland's trip to the plate.
Casey Burns (2-1) picked up the complete-game win for GSW, scattering seven hits, walking five and striking out one.
UNCP starter Starr Gilley (4-2) took the loss for the Braves after pitching two innings and allowing four runs on six hits. She struck out one batter.
Hodge was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and Butler finished 3-for-3 to lead GSW hitters. Nichole Griffin added two hits.
GAME 2: GSW 4, UNCP 3
The Lady Hurricanes had to rally from three runs down in the nightcap to earn the sweep.
UNC Pembroke scored three in the first, but was shut down by GSW starter Katie Maddox the rest of the way. Maddox retired 11-consecutive batters and did not allow a hit after the first inning.
After leaving the bases loaded in the third, GSW got on the board in the fourth behind RBI-singles from Jessica Chewning and Mason Moreland.
The Lady 'Canes left the bases loaded in the fourth inning, as well.
Robyn Butler tied the game in the fifth when she led off the inning with her third home run of the season, a mammoth shot to left field.
After UNCP left three runners on in the top of the sixth, the game-winning score came in the bottom half of the inning when Katie Wooten roped a single to left to score Gabby Buck from third.
Moreland finished 3-for-4 in Game 2 to lead GSW. Wooten added two hits.
Southwestern travels to Thomas (Ga.) on Tuesday for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.