Newton Citizen

Former Eastside standout Catherine Lee is off to a record-setting start for the Georgia State University softball team.

Lee, a freshman catcher, set a school record for the Panthers by recording six hits in a 33-2 victory over Savannah State University in the first game of a doubleheader on Feb. 12. Lee finished the game a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate.

In her second collegiate game, Lee belted two home runs, including a three-run longball that run-ruled Georgia Tech 11-3.

Former Eastside pitcher Ashley Cowan also is off to a strong start for Georgia State.

Cowan picked up the win in team's season opener in a tournament against the University of Tennessee-Martin, allowing five hits and one walk while chalking up seven strikeouts in the 4-3 victory.

In the tournament championship game, Cowan beat UT-Martin again, this time pitching a four-hit shutout with three strikeouts and two walks.

BASEBALL

Owens gets first win for Bobcats

Heritage product Brandon Owens recorded his first victory for Georgia State College and University, claiming the win in relief in a 12-11 decision over the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Owens tossed 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing five hits and three unearned runs. He also recorded three strikeouts.

Salem's Andrew Harris also played a key role in GSCU's 9-0 victory over Shorter College on Feb. 12. Harris, a sophomore, was one of four pitchers to combine for the shutout. In fact, he closed out the game tossing the final inning and recording one strikeout.

SOFTBALL

Chandler named to PBC preseason all-conference team

Another former Eastside standout, Georgia State College and University pitcher Mandy Chandler, has been named to the Peach Belt Conference Preseason All-Conference Team.

Chandler, a junior, already owns the GCSU career records in strikeouts (479) and wins (45).

She picked up the win in the Lady Bobcats' first game of the season, shutting out Alderson-Broaddus 2-0 on Feb. 9. She tossed a one-hitter and chalked up 15 strikeouts.

BASKETBALL

Dobbs continues strong play for Bears

Former Heritage standout Jaquas Dobbs battled the flu and helped Truett-McConnell College to a 71-67 road win at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Dobbs collected 14 points and six boards for the Bears.

Truett-McConnell lost at Coastal Georgia Community College, but Dobbs recorded 18 points and five rebounds.

Dobbs also notched 14 points and 11 rebounds against Reinhardt.

INDOOR TRACK

Denson flies to new heights at Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State's Chelsea Denson is ranked fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference in the pole vault during the indoor track season.

Denson, a former Salem standout, recently placed seventh in the pole vault, jumping 10 feet, 3/4 inches, at the McDonalds Invitational at Southern Illinois University.

The freshman was named the Salem Athlete of the Year by the Citizen in 2007 and earned fourth place in the Class AAAA pole vault at the state meet last spring.

If you know of former local athlete from Rockdale or Newton counties competing on the collegiate level, we'd like to hear from you. E-mail Kristen Lofton at sports@rockdalecitizen.com. The college notebook will resume on March 2.