Box Score

GULF SHORES, Ala. - After falling in a run-rule shortened game to Spring Hill in the day's first game, the Georgia Gwinnett softball team returned to action shortly thereafter to pick up an 8-2 victory over Benedictine-Springfield, finishing pool play with a 1-3 record.

"We showed some resilience today, and I think we're a team that has character," GGC Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg said. "Playing Spring Hill was a chance for us to see how we measure up with a team that is where we're trying to get to as a team. They played very well against us, and I like the way that we were able to come out after that and fight for another victory."

Spring Hill, one of the top teams in NAIA a year ago, is currently in transition to NCAA Division II and owns a 14-3 record on the season. Benedictine dropped to 0-9, and GGC now sits at 10-7 for the year.

Cassidy Littlefield got the Grizzly offense started in the game against Benedictine, leading off the opening stanza by getting hit, stealing a base and then later scoring on an Abby Hulsey groundout to put GGC ahead for the first time in either game on Saturday.

GGC would add another with a Chelsi Palazzo single in the fourth, and an Ashleigh Simmons triple scored two more an inning later to make it 5-1.

Palazzo, who also started in the circle for the Green and Gray, was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI at the plate and tossed 4.2 two-hit innings, allowing just one run.

The Bulldogs reclaimed a score in the sixth, but three more from the Grizzlies effectively put the game out of reach for the Illinois-based school.

In the day's earlier game, Spring Hill five runs in both the first and third innings en route to running away with a 13-2 victory.

GGC will return to action with bracket play on Sunday, beginning with a game against Purdue Calumet at 11 a.m., with the winner advancing to play either Benedictine or No. 16 Central Methodist at 1:30 p.m.

NOTES: GGC is 28-18-1 all-time in the month of March ... With 12 home runs already this season, the Grizzlies now stand just three shy of eclipsing last season's total ... The Grizzlies hold a 4-1 record this season vs. teams receiving votes in the NAIA poll, with the only loss coming to Campbellsville last Friday.

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