Georgia Gwinnett's 13th-ranked softball team improved to 6-2 on Saturday as it split on the first day of the 2017 Grizzly Classic. The Grizzlies opened the day with a 4-0 loss to Brenau (Ga.), which is receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll, and then powered past Montreat (N.C.) in a 16-1 slugfest victory.
"I was very pleased in how we bounced back in game two after being shutout against Brenau," stated GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "I thought Niki [Cook] did a great job pacing our offense, and Taylor [Hansis] had a superb performance, displaying her dominance in the center circle. Overall, it's early in the season, and I'm happy to see our growth with each game."
In game one, the Grizzlies (6-2) were one-hit by Brenau (9-2) as the Golden Tigers carried a perfect game into the fourth inning. Brenau's Kathleen Daniel received the win, striking out 13 Grizzlies.
Georgia Gwinnett responded with a hitting display in the nightcap, scoring 16 runs on 13 hits to defeat Montreat 16-1. GGC's starting pitcher Taylor Hansis (2-1) pitched a complete game to pick up her second victory of the season. The right-hander struck out a season-high 10 batters, allowing just one run, unearned, on four hits.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first. First baseman Hailey Burnham drove in the first Grizzly runs of the game with a two-run double to the left-center gap. Two batters later, shortstop Elyssa Melton hit a two-run single off the top of the left field wall to push the Grizzlies' lead to 4-0. GGC's final run of the inning was scored on an infield chopper hit by Aubree Cox.
Georgia Gwinnett's bats would plate nine more runs in the bottom of the third to give the Grizzlies a 14-0 gap over the Cavaliers. Notably, freshman Sydney Willhite recorded her first hit and RBI as a Grizzly in the inning, lifting an RBI-single to left. Melton's second single off the top of the left field fence drove in two Grizzlies in the inning while Cook pushed two runs across with plate with a single to shallow right.
In the top of the third, Montreat scored its lone run of the contest on an RBI-single by Cailin Warner.
Willhite would have another "first" in her GGC career in the bottom of the third as the freshman ripped a 1-1 curveball over the center field fence, recording her first collegiate home run. The solo shot made it 15-1 in the Grizzlies' favor. Left fielder Kaitlyn Howell's liner to center would score the final run of the contest, sending the Grizzlies to the 16-1 win in a five-inning, run-rule contest victory.
The Grizzlies are back at it on Sunday in day two of the Grizzly Classic. GGC will face West Virginia Tech at 3:00 p.m. and wrap up the Classic with a 5:30 p.m. meeting rematch with Montreat.
Pregame coverage on the Grizzly Digital Network will begin at approximately 2:45 p.m. with first pitch taking place at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets for Sunday's action are $5 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.
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