Skyhawks Close Season in Three-Game Day at SSAC Championship
DECATUR, Ala. – Thursday saw a wide range of emotions for the Point University Skyhawks. In the opening day at the 2026 SSAC Softball Championship, they fell 4-0 against Thomas University and prevailed in an 11-inning elimination game against Brewton-Parker Christian University before their season was ended by Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 4-2 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.
Game One (4-0 L vs. Thomas)
Thomas earned the first runs of the tournament, going up 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning. Alexis Adams' ground ball was enough to score Ava Nunez, and Cameron Clontz lined an RBI in the next at-bat.
Starting pitcher Alyssa Burrows was switched out for Taylor Gajdik to begin the third after posting two runs and two hits allowed.
Cloey O'Doniel doubled the Night Hawks' lead to 4-0 with a home run that brought Grace Hodges around the bases after she reached on a walk.
Although Point totaled nine hits through the game, they couldn't get the better of Thomas starting pitcher Baileigh Herrera, who tossed a complete shutout and struck out two. Gajdik went five full frames in the circle for the Skyhawks with two runs, two hits and one strikeout.
Point's Avery Lee shined in the batter's box, hitting singles in each of her three at-bats. The loss sent the Skyhawks to an elimination game against Brewton-Parker Christian University, who lost in their opening matchup against Faulkner University.
Game Two (6-5 W vs. Brewton-Parker)
Staring down elimination, Point didn't wait to get on the scoreboard. During the top of the first inning, Avery Lee hustled out a fielder's choice to prevent an inning-ending double play and send home Anna MacMahan for a 1-0 lead. Brewton-Parker quickly worked their way back into a 1-1 tie with Anna Green's sacrifice fly in the home half.
The Skyhawks nearly grabbed the lead back after Sarah Hinely charged a second-inning leadoff double through the right side, but Brewton-Parker pitcher Natalie O'Neal escaped the threat with a sacrifice bunt, popup and strikeout. The Skyhawks pieced together a similar situation in the third by loading the bases, but they were once again unable to work runners across.
In that third, Morgan Willingham used an RBI single to place the Barons ahead 2-1. Alyssa Burrows then took over the circle for Point starting pitcher Chloe Mitcham.
The fifth inning saw new life for the Skyhawks. McMahan slid home safely thanks to a fielder's choice bunt from Lee as the score became even. Gajdik beat out a close play at the plate on Aubryn Sward's sacrifice fly, and Hinely batted in Lee before the breakthrough stretch came to a close with a 4-2 Point advantage.
Once again, the rollercoaster ride of a game swayed in Brewton-Parker's favor in the bottom half. Willingham floated a sac fly to center, and a dropped ball on the infield tied the game at four apiece.
The matchup turned into an extra-innings marathon, and Point finally grabbed the edge at 6-4 in the 11th. Alexa McCoy's second hit of the game drove in Gajdik, and McCoy came in after Natalie Lovelace laid down a bunt.
The Barons made the most of their final trip to the plate. Shelby Aiken produced an extra base hit and scored, but Taylor Gajdik rounded things out in her sixth inning as a pitcher. She was awarded the win on three hits and a run.
McMahan and Gajdik each recorded three hits, while Hinely, Lee, McCoy and Bagwell each tallied two.
The thrilling finish was the start of a swift turnaround for the Skyhawks, who had to quickly get set for a nightcap against Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in another elimination contest.
Game Three (4-2 L vs. ABAC)
ABAC began the game with fireworks, knocking four straight hits off Alyssa Burrows, including a 2-RBI double by Carter Gore. Alli Eidson scored from third on an error to make it a 3-0 game in the first inning.
The Skyhawks built momentum by playing small ball. In the third, Taylor Gajdik's grounder to the shortstop had enough room to bring in Chelsey Hogsed, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The Fillies went back up by three after Shelby Smith showed good hustle on an RBI triple. Kinley Snider smacked a double just moments prior.
ABAC gave up a run on an error, which would become Point's last of the season during the sixth inning. Alexa McCoy came across as Sarah Hinely reached first for the RBI.
Pitcher Tess Rollins sat down Point in order to put the stamp on a complete game. The Skyhawks only generated three hits between McMahan, Lee and Hinely. Chloe Mitcham carried the most innings on the Skyhawks pitching staff, dealing four innings that saw four ABAC hits and one run. The three others went against starter Alyssa Burrows, who went just one frame.