The 21st-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team split their season opening series on the road this afternoon against Middle Georgia State taking game one 13-3 while falling in game two 4-3.
Just two pitches into GGC's season opener, junior transfer Kodi Ricketson crushed a solo home run over the left field fence. Georgia Gwinnett would extend their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third when MGSU's Kali Morris misplayed a grounder hit by Chelsi Palazzo that allowed Ricketson to score from third. Previously, Ricketson led the third inning off with a single to left.
The Grizzlies' bats once again came alive in the top of the fifth to plate four runs, taking the 6-0 lead. Junior third baseman Brashante Dareus joined in on the slugging action, crushing the second GGC home run of the season over the right field fence. Moments later, Hailey Burnham doubled to the left-center field gap. Ashley Chumbler, who pinch ran for Burnham, would come around to score when Palazzo singled to center. With two outs in the inning, the scoring assault continued when Haley Thompson lifted a two-RBI single to center to give GGC the 6-0 advantage.
While MGSU cut the Grizzlies' gap to 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth, GGC responded with three runs in the sixth and four in the seventh to widen their lead to 13-2. The Lady Knights would muster one final run in a comeback attempt but fell short as Georgia Gwinnett opened its 2016 campaign with a 13-3 victory.
Ashley Beyke picked up the win, pitching a complete game. The hurler struck out six of the 29 batters she faced, conceding just three earned runs on seven hits. MGSU's Alyssa Amerson was credited the loss.
Game two was a rebound game for the Lady Knights as MGSU's starter Meagan Coleman carried the weight en route to a 4-3 MGSU victory.
The Lady Knights struck first in the opening inning to take a 2-0 lead. A sacrifice fly by Kayla Bawkin to deep right field scored freshman Julia Davis to put the Lady Knights up 1-0. Moments later, they would take a 2-0 advantage when sophomore Macy Weeks ripped a RBI-single up the middle to score Coleman. Later Coleman would push the advantage to 3-0 with a sacrifice fly to left.
In the top of the third, GGC's Burnham crushed her first home run of 2016. The two-run shot would cut the lead to 3-2. Middle Georgia scored their fourth and final run of the game on a Grizzly error in the bottom of the sixth.
Down to their final three outs, Georgia Gwinnett battled back to cut the gap within one, 4-3, when Thompson lifted a solo shot over the left field fence, but fell short as the Lady Knights picked up the win to split the series.
MGSU's Coleman received the victory while GGC's starter Katie Lange was credited with the loss.
"I thought the team hit really well," stated GGC head softball coach Kat Ihlenburg. "We strung a lot of hits together in game one, but struggled against a strong, young pitcher in game two and couldnt' piece those hits together in succession. Overall, it was a very strong start for 2016, and we have a lot to build on from this opening series.
Notably, MGSU's Ken Phillips earned his 400th win at Middle Georgia with the Lady Knights' 4-3 victory over GGC. Phillips earned the milestone in his 15th season with the institution as he has accumulated a 400-264 record while at MGSU.
The Grizzly squad is back in action on Saturday as they continue their season opening road trip in South Georgia. GGC will face Thomas (Ga.) in doubleheader action in Thomasville, Ga. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Armory Field.
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