The No. 22-ranked Galveston College Whitecaps overpowered Coastal Bend for a 10-0 and 14-1 series sweep on Wednesday to solidify their place atop the Region 14 South Conference standings.

Riding a four-game winning streak and victories in seven of their last eight games, GC continues to surge and improved to 7-1 in conference play, 18-8 overall, two games ahead of second place Angelina College (5-3, 12-22).

“The team played good, fundamental softball, offensively and defensively,” said GC Head Softball Coach, Kelly Raines. “The first five innings of the series were a stalemate, but we figured it out and didn’t look back. Jenna Johnston and Brynn Glidewell pitched well, and our offense came alive in the latter half of the opening game. The whole team is beginning to come together, but we must continue to work hard to stay ahead of the pack to win the conference championship and a berth to the regional tournament.”

In the first game of Tuesday’s twin bill against CBC, both squads battled to a scoreless tie through the first five innings of play. GC finally broke through with a run in the sixth and erupted for nine unanswered runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Cougars, 10-0.

Whitecaps sophomore pitcher Jenna Johnston (10-3) kept the Cougars off the scoreboard through seven innings and struck out 11 batters en route to her tenth victory of the season.

Offensively, GC center fielder Maddie Moore hit a home run and scored twice and catcher Cady Bowyer, third baseman Breigh Houser, designated player Paeden Vincik and left fielder Aubrey Gonzales each drove in a pair of runs to help lead the Whitecaps over the Cougars in the first game.

In the second game, GC’s pitching stayed strong and its offense didn’t wait to sound off. The Whitecaps built an 8-0 lead after a six-run second inning and added six more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to run away with a 14-1 victory.

GC sophomore hurler Brynn Glidewell allowed only one run and six hits in five innings of work to improve her record to 4-2.

She was supported offensively by Houser, who went 3-for 4, scored a pair of runs and drove in another five off two dingers.

For GC, Glidewell went six innings, allowed only two runs on five hits and struck out four opposing batters. Glidewell was credited with the loss and evened her season record at 1-1.

The Whitecaps return home for a doubleheader against Alvin Community College on Saturday at 1 and 3:30 p.m. at the Lassie League Complex’s Carter Field, located at 2506 83rd St. in Galveston. Games are free and open to the public.

For more information about the GC 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.