The showdown between Galveston College and San Jacinto College-South for the NJCAA Division I Region 14 South Conference title is set after the Whitecaps swept Angelina College, 12-0 and 12-6, on Saturday at the Lassie League Complex’s Carter Field.
The Whitecaps improved to 38-13 overall on the season, 16-6 in conference, with the doubleheader sweep of the Roadrunners (19-39, 9-15) over the weekend, and moved GC into second place, behind the conference-leading Ravens (38-20, 18-4).
Due to the heavy rain on Monday, the season finale was postponed and GC will now host SJCS today at 1 and 3:30 p.m. at the Lassie League Complex, located at 2506 83rd St. in Galveston. Whitecaps games are free and open to the public.
While GC will have the home-field advantage for the season finale today against SJCS, the Whitecaps must win the last two games of the season to claim at least a share of the conference crown. Meanwhile, the visiting Ravens only need a split of the twin bill to win the title outright.
“I’m proud of the team for what they’ve accomplished over the past couple of weeks by winning seven of our last eight games, which qualified us for the regional tournament and put us in a good position to fight for the title,” said GC Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach, Kelly Raines. “San Jacinto College-South has a very talented team and it’s going to be two of the toughest games of the season. It’s appropriate that it has come down to both of us, in the last series of the season, like last year, to decide the conference title.”
Since April 20, GC has won seven of the last eight games it played.
In the first game in Saturday’s twin bill, the Whitecaps overwhelmed the Roadrunners with seven unanswered runs in the first inning to take a 7-0 lead. GC added another three scores in the third and two more in the fourth while Whitecaps ace Jenna Johnston tossed five innings of one-hit ball to shutout the AC, 12-0.
With the one-hitter, Johnston claimed the victory and improved her record to 21-6.
Offensively, GC’s second baseman Samantha Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs, while right fielder Emily Parks went 1-for-2, scored twice and drove home another three runs. Whitecaps center fielder Hanna Griffith and Gonzalez each hit home runs in the first game.
The nightcap was a closer game – at least for the first four innings.
After AC scored two runs in the fifth inning to come within three runs of GC, the Whitecaps scored four runs of their own in the bottom half of the same inning to put the game out of reach, 11-4. GC eventually won the game, 12-6.
Whitecaps freshman pitcher Brynn Glidewell gave up four runs on nine hits in four innings and was credited with the win to improve her record to 6-2. GC freshman hurler Kennadee Belnap pitched three innings of relief and allowed two runs on two hits, while striking out a pair of opposing batters.
GC shortstop Ella Herrewig, catcher Brooklyn Spencer and second baseman Gonzalez each went 2-for-3. Herrewig scored three times and brought in a pair of runs, Spencer scored once and drove in one run, and Gonzalez scored three runs. Herrewig and Griffith also homered in the second game.
For more information about the Galveston College Whitecaps softball program, rosters and season schedule, visit https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index.
ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.