Sarah Gordon and Gabi Novickas each hit home runs in a four-run fifth inning, powering the Georgia Bulldogs to a 5-2 comeback victory over the Charleston Cougars in the opener of the NCAA softball tournament's Athens Regional on Friday at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Georgia.

Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, Georgia erupted to take control of the game. Jaydyn Goodwin started the scoring with a sacrifice fly that made it 2-1. On the next at-bat, Gordon launched a two-run homer to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Novickas followed with a solo shot to extend the advantage. Gordon finished 2-for-4. Natalie Ray was 3-for-3 at the plate, and Bailey Lindemuth and Emily Digby each added two hits. Reliever Addisen Fisher threw four scoreless, no-hit innings with five strikeouts.

The Cougars took an early lead in the top of the third inning when Leela Langston hit a two-run home run, which accounted for all of the team's offense. Langston finished 1-for-3. Bronwyn Conroy recorded the only other hit for the Cougars, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base. Starting pitcher Mackenzie Mathis pitched five innings, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits.

Georgia added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Lindemuth scored on an error to make it 5-2.

Up next: Regional play in the NCAA softball tournament continues Saturday.

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