March 15, 2014
Spring Hill 7, GGC 2
GGC 10, Alcorn State 6
A win in the Grizzlies’ first-ever matchup against an NCAA Div. I opponent highlighted the second day of the William Carey University Invitational for the Georgia Gwinnett softball team in Hattiesburg, Miss.
In Saturday’s opener, GGC fell to NAIA No. 2 Spring Hill, 7-2, but the Grizzlies bounced back for a 10-6 win over Alcorn State.
The Grizzlies finish the challenging weekend 2-2 and now stand at 16-5 on the year.
Game One- Spring Hill 7, GGC 2
Cassidy Littlefield belted a two-run homer and had two hits but NAIA No. 2 Spring Hill (Ala.) pitched its way to a 7-2 victory over the Grizzlies in game one.
The Grizzlies were not able to muster much offense against Spring Hill sophomore pitcher Caroline Sagrera, who entered the day ranked second in the nation with 131 total strikeouts and added 11 more against GGC over five innings.
The game ended on a time limit after six innings. Spring Hill, which reached the championship of last year’s NAIA softball tournament, improved to 17-3.
Four Georgia Gwinnett errors were costly in the contest. Two early errors keyed a 3-0 start for Spring Hill over the first three innings.
Spring Hill added to its lead with four runs in the bottom of the fifth.
The Grizzlies connected for their two runs in the sixth inning when Halley Ingram walked and stole second before Littlefield belted her first home run of the season, a two-run shot to make it 7-2.
With games at the tournament dictated by a timer, the Grizzlies were not able to draw any closer in the six-inning defeat.
Game Two- GGC 10, Alcorn State 6
The Grizzlies used a six-run third inning to rally for a 10-6 win over Alcorn State in the team’s first-ever game against an NCAA Division I opponent.
Cassidy Littlefield and Jordyn Fones each had three hits apiece, with Fones doubling twice in the game.
Marlee Morales and Brittany Bruns each had two hits, including a triple, and combined for three runs.
Ashley Beyke (9-4) picked up the win in relief of starter Kayla Byrom.
The Braves scored four times in the top of the second, but GGC’s big third inning included six hits- four in a row- as the Grizzlies jumped in front.
Three consecutive extra-base hits started the fifth inning for GGC as the Grizzlies added three runs to their cushion. After Alcorn State scored twice in the top of the sixth, but GGC added the game’s final run in the bottom of the inning.
Georgia Gwinnett improved to 9-2 away from home on the year.
The Grizzlies return to Lawrenceville for a Tuesday doubleheader with Emmanuel (Ga.) at 5 p.m.
