AMERICUS, Ga. – Despite three home runs by the visiting UNCP softball team, Georgia Southwestern used a walk-off homer by Elliott Martin in the bottom of the seventh inning end the contest with UNCP, 6-5, and to split the series on Saturday in Peach Belt Conference competition.

The Lady Braves (11-14, 1-1 PBC) out-hit the Hurricanes (16-10, 1-1) by one as senior Holly Berry totaled two hits with six other athletes nabbing one hit apiece. Sophomore Brea Hartley notched two RBI with her home run in the sixth inning. Seven different Hurricanes collected one hit apiece as Nellie Moore led the team with two RBI.

Junior Natalie Klemann (4-4) suffered the loss as she gave up the final run in the seventh inning after going 1/3 of an inning following senior Starr Gilley's 5-2/3 innings. Gilley allowed five earned runs on six hits. Ashley Cavender (5-1) faced 30 batters in the seven innings in the middle for the Hurricanes as she allowed all five earned runs on eight hits.

UNCP put up the first run in the third inning on junior Taylor Cloninger's home run to left field, but Georgia Southwestern responded with its own homer by Rachel McElroy. The Lady Braves punched its second homer as sophomore Megan Hillard sent the ball flying in the fifth inning over center field. Hartley gave the Black and Gold a three run lead after Berry reached first on a single to left field and was moved home on Hartley's homer to left field.

Georgia Southwestern recaptured the lead in the sixth inning after four runs crossed home plate, but the Lady Braves tied the game at 5-5 with freshman Caitlin Steel's score in the seventh inning. Sophomore Kaytee Wilson captured the RBI on a single to centerfield to score Steel after she reached on a double to left field.

In the first at-bat of the seventh inning, Martin delivered the win for Georgia Southwestern on her home run to end the game and tie the series with UNCP.

The Black and Gold will continue conference action on Saturday when the Lady Braves host Columbus State (9-9) in a 2 p.m. doubleheader at LRA Field.