The No. 9 Georgia Gwinnett softball team wrapped up the 2016 regular season on Saturday as the Grizzlies swept Milligan (Tenn.) in doubleheader header action.
Behind the complete game shutout pitching performance of starter Ashley Beyke, the Grizzlies (37-15) captured the 5-0 victory in game one while a 4-for-5 performance at the plate by left fielder Alyssa Hathcoat lifted the Grizzlies to a 9-5 win in game two.
"The team finished the regular season well," stated GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "We hit the ball well, and I'm very proud of their effort. Our four-year seniors, Alycia [Fields] and Ashley [Beyke], had excellent games today and were clutch in the key moments. Overall, I've really enjoyed having fantastic athletes such as these two and couldn't be more grateful to have them as Grizzlies for the last four years. Hathcoat was also a big factor as well in both wins with timely hitting."
In the opening game of the twin bill, Beyke dominated the Buffaloes as she pitched the complete-game, seven innings, surrendering no runs on just three hits while striking out four of the 21 batters she faced to receive the win. The Grizzlies scored their first run of the day in the opening inning on a wild throw by the Buffaloes' second baseman, but did their major damage in the top of the sixth where GGC scored its other four runs of the contest.
Designated hitter Nikki Miller started the four-run sixth with a two-run homer over the left-center field fence for the 3-0 advantage. Later in the inning, Hathcoat and shortstop Elyssa Melton connected on back-to-back RBI-singles to give Georgia Gwinnett the 5-0 lead.
The Grizzlies held the 5-0 advantage through the next two innings en route to the first win of the day.
In the nightcap, Georgia Gwinnett relied on timely and consistent hitting to pull out the 9-5 victory over Milligan. Hathcoat's 4-for-5 performance was coupled with a 2-for-4, three-RBI showing by third baseman Kodi Ricketson while Miller's hot bat continued in game two to the tune of a 1-for-3, 3-RBI effort in the doubleheader finale.
Georgia Gwinnett held a 6-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the fourth where the Buffaloes responded with a three run rally to cut the deficit to 6-4. Junior Chelsi Palazzo came on in relief for GGC's game two starter Katie Jo Goodwin and propelled the Grizzlies out of the jam to hold the lead intact.
In the top of the sixth, GGC plated three runs to regain a 9-4 lead behind a two-run single to center by Miller and an RBI-grounder by second baseman Haley Thompson.
Milligan (24-16) managed one final run in the bottom of the sixth, but fell short in its comeback attempt to drop game two, 9-5.
Georgia Gwinnett now returns to Lawrenceville to prepare for the Association of Independent Institutions championship tournament. The Grizzlies will host the tournament at the Grizzly Softball Complex beginning on May 5.
Ihlenburg concluded, "We are looking forward to postseason play and are hoping to have the best May in our program's history."
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