Event: Grizzly Open
Game 1: Sat., Feb. 11 – 10 a.m. | Rio Grande (Ohio) vs. #13 Georgia Gwinnett
Game 2: Sat., Feb. 11 – 4 p.m. | Brewton-Parker (Ga.) vs. #13 Georgia Gwinnett
Game 3: Sun., Feb. 12 – 1 p.m. | Rio Grande (Ohio) vs. #13 Georgia Gwinnett
Game 4: Sun., Feb. 12 – 4 p.m. | Brewton-Parker (Ga.) vs. #13 Georgia Gwinnett
Location: Grizzly Softball Complex, Lawrenceville, Ga.
Game Coverage: Live Video | Live Stats | Twitter
Media Information: 2017 GGC Softball Media Guide
Georgia Gwinnett's 13th-ranked softball team started its 2017 season with a doubleheader sweep over USC Beaufort (S.C.) on Friday, defeating the Sand Sharks 5-2 and 11-3.
With the victories, the Grizzlies (2-0) are now 7-2 all-time in season openers, including a 7-1 mark at the Grizzly Softball Complex.
"The team performed well today, and it was good to see the whole team contribute," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "No one player did the most to ensure the victories. We had multiple contributors that led us today. Elyssa [Melton] had a great day at the plate. Our three pitchers kept us in the game and worked well as a staff. There is a lot of room for growth in this team. We have a lot of work to do this weekend, and I look forward to seeing our team face these opportunities ahead."
Center fielder Nicole Cook and third baseman Elyssa Melton had dominant performances at the plate on Friday. Cook, in her Grizzly debut, posted a 4-for-7 showing, driving in two runs. Melton, who was named the Grizzly of the Day, went 4-for-6, including two RBIs.
In game one of Friday's doubleheader, the Grizzlies did all of their damage in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Melton would hit into a fielder's choice that allowed pinch-runner RaeQuinn Rossetti to score the first run of the Grizzlies' 2017 season. With the bases still loaded, left fielder Aubree Cox would increase GGC's gap to 4-0 with a three-run, bases clearing triple off the right field fence. Later in the inning, Cox would score the Grizzlies' fifth and final run of game one on a suicide squeeze bunt hit by Cook towards third.
GGC's starter, Katie Jo Goodwin pitched four innings of quality work to pick up her first win of the season. While the Sand Sharks would plate two runs in the third to narrow the Grizzly advantage to 5-2, reliever Chelsi Palazzo came on in the fifth and pitched three innings of shutout relief to collect her first save of the season. USCB's Abby Pac (1-1) was credited with the loss.
In the nightcap, the Grizzlies struck first, taking a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly to right by Palazzo to score Cook. Cook led off the inning with a triple to the right-center gap.
The Sand Sharks (2-2) drove in three runs in the top of the second, but the Grizzlies responded with six runs of their own in the bottom frame to take the 7-3 lead. Notable hits in the third inning consisted of a two-run single to center by shortstop Brashante Dareus, an RBI-single by first baseman Hailey Burnham, and a two-RBI single by second baseman Nikki Miller.
Georgia Gwinnett took advantage of situational hitting in the bottom of the fifth to plate three runs to end the contest in an eight-run rule victory. Melton made it 9-3 in GGC's favor with the Grizzlies' first home run of the 2017 season. The solo shot was launched over the left field fence on the first pitch of the fifth inning. Freshman Quentin Staton's single to right field would end the contest with an 11-3 victory as her hit drove in the final two Grizzly runs of the contest.
Sophomore Taylor Hansis (1-0) received the win while USCB's Naomi Catt was credited with the loss.
The Grizzlies are back in action on Saturday where they will face Rio Grande (Ohio) and Brewton-Parker (Ga.) at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., respectively.
GGC's final four games over the three-day Opening Weekend will be broadcasted live on the Grizzly Digital Network. Live statistics for each contest can be accessed on the Dakstats Live Statistics stream.
Tickets for this weekend's action are $5 per day 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.
For all the latest on Grizzly Athletics, including news, scores, and features, visit GrizzlyAthletics.com. Check out all the latest Grizzly Athletics social media content via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and join the conversation by using #GGCAthletics. Interact with the Grizzly Softball directly via Twitter at @GGC_Softball.
