The No. 21 Georgia Gwinnett softball team closed out the final day of the Grizzly Softball Classic on Sunday, splitting its games with WVU Tech (W.Va.) and Brenau (Ga.) as it improved to 9-3 on the year.
The Grizzlies took the first game of their day against WVU Tech (1-3) as GGC pulled out a 5-1 victory behind the stellar pitching performance of junior Katie Jo Goodwin. The right-hander pitched a complete game, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two.
In the final game of the Grizzly Softball Classic, the Grizzlies fell in an extra-inning battle where Brenau (6-2) escaped with an 8-7 victory over Georgia Gwinnett.
"The team showed a lot of growth once again today," stated GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "The loss [to Brenau] is tough but something we can build on. The pitching performance by Katie Jo was what we hoped for and what she has worked towards this spring. Kodi Ricketson was seeing the ball well and will continue to be a major force in our lineup throughout the season. Overall, the games coming up next week feature strong opponents, and we need to stay focused on offense and defense."
During their game against WVU Tech, the Grizzlies broke up a pitchers' duel in the bottom of the third to plate two runs. A two-out RBI-double to left-center by catcher Brashante Dareus, followed by an RBI-single by Ricketson, put the Grizzlies ahead 2-0 over the Golden Bears. Two innings later, Ricketson came up big again for the Grizzlies, ripping a bases-clearing double to left that hit just below the top of the fence. The narrowly-missed grand slam put Georgia Gwinnett ahead 5-0.
Goodwin's lone mistake of the game came just one out away from victory. WVU Tech's pitcher, Genna Trippett, ripped a pitch over the right field fence for the lone Golden Bear run of the game. Goodwin, who only threw 66 pitches on the afternoon, remained victorious in the effort as she went the distance in the Grizzlies' 5-1 win. The victory was Goodwin's first of the season.
In the nightcap, the Grizzlies dropped a hard-fought battle to Brenau. Both the Grizzlies and Golden Tigers had a shaky start to the contest as errors allowed each team to score three runs in the opening inning. Georgia Gwinnett broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth with a grounder to short that scored Chelsi Palazzo from third. Notably, Palazzo led the inning off with a double to right, then moved 60 feet closer to home by stealing third base.
Down to their final three outs, the Golden Tigers rallied to tie the game at 4-4 with a solo home run by Kelsey Payne, forcing extra innings.
With the international tie-breaker rule in effect in the contest, each team started the inning with a runner on second base. Immediately, the Golden Tigers took advantage of the baserunner and plated four runs in the top of the eighth for the 8-4 lead.
GGC battled back in the bottom of the eighth by scoring three runs, but the effort fell short as Brenau picked up the 8-7 win. Of note, Dareus and GGC's game-two catcher Alycia Fields both contributed home runs in the extra inning of play.
The Grizzlies are back in action on Tuesday as they host Tennessee Wesleyan in doubleheader action. First pitch from the Grizzly Softball Complex is set for 2:00 p.m. with game two starting approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Tickets for Tuesday's action are $5 for adults, $3 for youth, seniors, and military, and free for children under five. All members of the GGC community receive free admission with their Claw Card. Season ticket packages are also on sale for all regular season contests. For more information on ticketing, click here. Free game day parking is available in the deck at the entrance to the GGC campus.
Game Day Central
Video coverage:
http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ggc/
Live stat links:
Game 1: http://bit.ly/1LxyteL
Game 2: http://bit.ly/1Tv8e0l
For all the latest on Grizzly Athletics, including news, scores and features, visit GrizzlyAthletics.com. Check out all the latest Grizzly Softball content and join the conversation by using #GGCSoftball on Twitter.
