The No. 21 Georgia Gwinnett softball team narrowly missed an opening day sweep at the Gulf Shores Invitational on Friday, defeating Bethel (Tenn.) 6-2 and then losing a heartbreaker to No. 9 William Carey 4-3 in the final inning of play.

In their opening game of the Gulf Shores Invitational, the Grizzlies clawed out to a 2-0 lead in the opening inning of play.  Second baseman Haley Thompson pushed an RBI-single to left, allowing third baseman Brashante Dareus to score.  Designated player Kodi Ricketson would push the GGC advantage to 2-0, scoring on a passed ball by Bethel's Meagan Breeden.

While Bethel temporarily cut GGC's lead in half, 2-1, in the top of the second on a fielder's choice by Haley Sullivan, the Grizzlies would regain their two-run advantage an inning later on a grounder by shortstop Elyssa Melton.  In the bottom of the third, an RBI-single by right fielder Mary Burk would give the Grizzlies the 4-1 lead.

Bethel plated its second and final run of the contest in the top of the fourth when Heather Johnson led the inning off with a solo home run over the left field fence.  Georgia Gwinnett would go on to plate two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth off a two-run single by Thompson.  The hit sealed the Grizzlies' 19th win of 2016 season.

Senior Ashley Beyke picked up the win for the Grizzlies, surrendering two runs on five hits in three innings of work.  GGC's Katie Lange received the save, pitching four innings of three-hit, shutout work.

Fielding errors doomed the Grizzlies in their afternoon battle with No. 9 William Carey.  While Georgia Gwinnett held the 3-1 advantage heading into the top of the fifth, William Carey tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the frame on an RBI-single by Harli Crow and a throwing error by Burk.  WCU's ace starter Hannah Moak went the distance in the WCU victory (7.0 innings, 4 Ks, 2 hits, 1 earned run), shutting the Grizzlies out in the final frame. 

Down to the final three outs of regulation play, the Crusaders capitalized on consecutive GGC infield errors to plate the winning run en route to the 4-3 victory.

The Grizzlies return to the diamond on Saturday when they face No. 8 Campbellsville (Ky.) (11:00 a.m.) and Houston-Victoria, who is receiving votes nationally (3:00 p.m.).

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