The Association of Independent Institutions Softball Tournament's top-seed Georgia Gwinnett (40-16) was plagued by costly errors on Friday night as the defending A.I.I. champion was shutout out against 2015 runner-up Ashford (Iowa) in a 2-0 loss in the winner's bracket final.
"Today's errors really cost us," remarked GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "The team had two mistakes with runners on, and it was the critical difference in the game. We look forward to a tough day tomorrow and applying the pressure on Kentucky Christian and Ashford."
Ashford broke the silence in the top of the second on a GGC erred throw to second base from home. With pinch runner Bridgette Griffin on second, left fielder Marissa Thornburg lifted a single to shallow center field to move Griffin to third. On the relay home, the Grizzlies attempted a throw down to second to potentially catch Thornburg, who was trying to advance to second on the toss back to infield. The wild throw sailed into center field, allowing Griffin to score Ashford's go-ahead run.
An inning later, the Saints (29-22) pushed their lead, and the game's eventual final score, to 2-0 when center fielder Allie Klasen scored on a sacrifice bunt down the line at third by shortstop Taylor Ellestad.
The Saints held on for the win, sending Georgia Gwinnett to the loser's bracket with its first tournament loss. GGC freshman starter Taylor Hansis was credited with the loss, allowing two runs on three hits while Ashford's Nicole Schmidt received the win, pitching a complete game shutout. Schmidt surrendered just four hits while striking out five and walking one.
Georgia Gwinnett's run in the A.I.I. Softball Tournament continues on Saturday as the top-seeded Grizzlies face second-seeded Kentucky Christian at 10:00 a.m. in an elimination game. At stake between the two squads is a spot in the tournament championship with third-seeded Ashford at 12:30 p.m.
The Knights (30-19) are 2-1 so far in the tournament, falling to Ashford 6-1 in the opening game of the championship tournament before they defeated both Mount Mercy and Clarke 2-0 to earn a spot against Georgia Gwinnett. The Grizzlies are 2-1 all-time against Kentucky Christian, splitting their doubleheader against the Knights earlier this season. In their last meeting in the A.I.I. tournament, Georgia Gwinnett defeated the Knights 3-2 in route to the 2015 A.I.I. Tournament championship.
The Grizzly Digital Network will provide live video coverage of Saturday's contest. Access to the complete tournament can be purchased for $19.95 and viewed daily at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ggc. Individual game viewings are also available at $7.95 per game.
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