Jayna Kearson delivered a week to remember as Georgia Military College softball completed a three-game sweep of South Georgia State, highlighted by a dramatic walk-off home run that ignited a standout week for the Bulldogs.
Thursday's opener produced one of the most memorable moments of the season at GMC. Trailing 4–3 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Bulldogs faced their final chance to respond. With two runners on base, Kearson stepped to the plate and delivered in emphatic fashion, launching a three-run home run to left field to seal a 5–4 walk-off victory and send the dugout into celebration.
The blast capped a four-RBI performance for the third baseman, who once again established herself as a reliable presence in pressure-packed moments.
The contest featured plenty of momentum swings. The Bulldogs handed the led to the Hawks with an error in the second inning, but Georgia Military College answered in the fourth when Claire Clements crushed a two-run home run to left field to even the score. The Hawks briefly reclaimed the lead in the fifth, setting the stage for Kearson's late-inning heroics.
In the circle, Clements battled through a gritty complete-game effort, allowing five hits and four runs—only one earned—over seven innings. She struck out five and did not issue a walk, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance throughout the afternoon.
Offensively, Georgia Military College saw contributions from across the lineup. Kearson, Kylee Keck, Clements, Kayden Bradford, and Ella Ashley each recorded hits, while Bradford added two stolen bases. That balanced attack set the tone for the weekend.
The momentum carried into Sunday's doubleheader, beginning with an 11–8 victory. Kearson once again led the charge, going 3-for-4 with a triple and driving in runs during key moments as the game swung back and forth. The Bulldogs struck first behind a Sophia Boutelle double in the opening frame and exploded for six runs in the third inning on four hits. Kearson, Boutelle, and Ella Ashley all delivered RBIs during the rally.
The Hawks scored five runs in the sixth, but the Bulldogs closed the door with solid relief pitching and aggressive baserunning to secure the win. Clements and Jada Vickers combined in the circle, while the Bulldogs finished with 13 hits and six stolen bases. Boutelle anchored the lineup with three RBIs, while Kearson and KyleeKeck each added three-hit performances.
The weekend concluded in dominant fashion with a 10–1 victory in the series finale. Kearson continued her standout play, finishing 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two singles, and steady production throughout the game. Georgia Military College opened the scoring in the third inning before breaking things open with a four-run fifth, highlighted by run-scoring hits from Ana Land and an inside-the-park home run by Keck. Two additional runs followed in the sixth, punctuated by Kearson's second extra-base hit of the day.
Meredith Durden delivered a strong start in the circle, allowing just one run over six innings while preventing South Georgia State from mounting any sustained momentum. The Bulldog defense backed her with a clean performance, committing no errors and turning a double play.
Across the series, Georgia Military College combined timely power, aggressive baserunning, and steady pitching to earn the wins. Kearson's contributions stood out not only for the numbers, but for the moments in which they came—none bigger than the walk-off swing that embodied the Bulldogs' resilience and confidence.
Georgia Military College will look to carry that momentum forward as it prepares to host second-place Gordon State College on Tuesday, April 14. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.