March 13, 2013

USCB 6, GGC 0

USCB 11, GGC 4

Playing a third ranked opponent in six days, the Georgia Gwinnett softball team dropped a pair of games on Wednesday to No. 21 USC Beaufort in Hardeeville, S.C., falling by 6-0 and 11-4 scores.

Facing a Sand Sharks squad that has lost just once all year, the Grizzlies were led by Alycia Fields’ 4-for-5 afternoon.

Jordyn Fones drove in a team-high three runs and had three hits as she and Marlee Morales each belted triples in game two.

Freshman Ashley Beyke struck out five and allowed just one walk over 10.1 total innings of work.

“Despite the adversity we face, we are learning from every game and every play,” said Grizzlies head coach Kat Ihlenburg. “We know we have a challenging schedule and it will make us stronger as we grow.”

The first-year Grizzlies (3-16) were held to just two hits in the opener as USCB (17-1) pitcher Kristy Cook improved to 7-0.

In game two, GGC tallied the first score before the Sand Sharks built an 8-1 lead into the fifth inning.

Georgia Gwinnett pushed across two scores in the fifth and another in the sixth but three RBIs apiece from Alexandria Simmons and Maddie Byrd proved too much to overcome.

The Sand Sharks are slated to visit Lawrenceville April 17 in GGC’s final home series of the year.

The Grizzlies return to action this Saturday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Emmanuel College.