The No. 13 Georgia Gwinnett softball team is off to its best start through six games in the program's history as the Grizzlies are 5-1 in the early stages of the 2017 season.

On Sunday, the Grizzlies split their final day of action at the Grizzly Open, falling to No. 24 Rio Grande (Ohio) 2-1 while defeating Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 10-2 in six innings to sweep the season series against the Barons.

"Overall, the team showed tremendous growth during our Opening Weekend," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg.  "The loss against Rio Grande reiterates the need for quality at-bats.  We rebounded well against Brewton-Parker, and the win demonstrated our ability to have a short memory.  Chelsi [Palazzo], once again, did a great job in the center circle for us."

The Grizzlies (5-1) were edged 2-1 by No. Rio Grande (3-1) to start Sunday's doubleheader action.  GGC jumped out to the 1-0 lead in the first with a sacrifice fly to left by first baseman Hailey Burnham, scoring center fielder Niki Cook from third.  Previously, Cook led off the game with a single to center, stole second, and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Brashante Dareus.

GGC's starter Katie Jo Goodwin gave the Grizzlies three innings of scoreless work before Rio Grande's first baseman Kari Jenkins snapped the Red Storm's scoring drought with an RBI-single to right field, tying the game at 1-1.  Sophomore Taylor Hansis came on in relief in the top of the fifth and was met with two key hits by the Red Storm that propelled Rio Grande to the 2-1 victory over the Grizzlies.  Left fielder Carly Skeese led off the inning with a double down the left-field line and came around to score the eventual game-winning run on an RBI-single by second baseman Alex Stevens.

In the weekend finale, the Grizzlies used 14 hits to score 10 runs as Georgia Gwinnett defeated Brewton-Parker in a 10-2 run-rule victory in six innings.  Catcher Ashley Neal started the offensive assault with an RBI-triple in the first to give GGC the 1-0 lead. 

Two innings later, the Grizzlies used six hits to plate five runs to take a 6-0 advantage.  Cook drove in two Grizzlies with a two-run double down the third base line and then came around to score when second baseman Nikki Miller was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  Burnham would later push Georgia Gwinnett's gap to 6-0 with a two-run bloop single to shallow left before a sharp hit liner hit by designated player Sydney Willhite ended the Grizzlies' rally in the third.

GGC's starting pitcher, Chelsi Palazzo, led the Grizzlies in the center circle with five innings of dominant work.  The Woodstock, Ga., native surrendered just one hit, striking out seven of the 17 batters she faced before being relieved for freshman Alexis Eisenberg, who made her Grizzly debut against the Barons.



While the Grizzlies would take a 7-0 lead into the top of the sixth, Brewton-Parker narrowed GGC's advantage to five runs, 7-2, with a two-run home run by third baseman Victoria Winters.

With a run-rule victory just three runs away, the Grizzly offense used timely hitting in the bottom of the sixth to plate the final three runs of the day, leading to the 10-2 victory.  Dareus made it 8-2 with an RBI-single to center while Burnham wrapped up the contest with a two-run single to left for the 10-2 win.

Cook continued her hitting tear on Sunday, combining for a 4-for-5 performance at the plate.  The Buford, Ga., native drove in two runs and scored on three occasions while also stealing four bases.

In her first start of her collegiate career, freshman right fielder RaeQuinn Rossetti went 3-for-3 against the Barons, scoring twice while also stealing a base.

Next, Georgia Gwinnett will host the Grizzly Classic on Feb. 18 and 19 at the Grizzly Softball Complex.  The two-day, eight-game round robin tournament style of play will feature contests with Brenau (Ga.), Montreat (N.C.), and West Virginia Tech.

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.