In the opening day of the Reinhardt Invitational in Waleska, Ga., the No. 13 Georgia Gwinnett softball team picked up two wins to improve to 10-2 on the year.
The Grizzlies began their tournament run with a 13-2 run-rule victory over Kentucky Christian (0-2) and followed it up with a 7-2 win against Point (Ga.) in game two.
"Today was very productive for our entire squad," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "The hitters were really focused in our game against Kentucky Christian, knowing it was an A.I.I. opponent. Against Point, we did a nice job bouncing back after they got an early lead. The pitching staff kept us in both games while our defense, including some great plays by Brashante [Dareus] at short, was very strong. We continue to grow and have things to work on."
In game one, the Grizzlies defeated Kentucky Christian 13-2. During the game, GGC tied its single-game record with five triples in the contest. This feat last happened on Feb. 13, 2013, against Embry-Riddle (Fla.).
Georgia Gwinnett scored three runs in the opening inning of play to take a 3-0 advantage over the Knights. First baseman Hailey Burnham drove in the first two Grizzly runs of the day with a two-run triple to the right-center gap. Two pitches later, designated hitter Ashley Neal made it 3-0, scoring Burnham with a grounder to short.
Kentucky Christian scored its first run of the game with an RBI-single by Samantha Mitchell in the second, making it 3-1. The Grizzlies respond with a two-run showing in the bottom of the second with an RBI-triple by catcher Anya Vandersip and a wild pitch by KCU's Cassandra Adkins.
Facing a 5-1 Grizzly lead, the Knights made it 5-2 in the third, scoring on a wild pitch by GGC's starting pitcher Taylor Hansis.
In the bottom of the third, the Grizzlies scored three more runs to push their advantage to 8-2. Burnham led off the inning with her second triple of the game and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Neal. Third baseman Elyssa Melton joined the offensive charge two batters later, ripping a double down the left field line. With two outs in the inning, left fielder Aubree Cox connected with a two-run single, giving GGC an 8-2 lead.
GGC's offense continued to create runs in the bottom of the fourth using five hits, including a double and a triple, to score five more runs for the 13-2 lead. Shortstop Brashante Dareus increased GGC's gap to 9-2 with an RBI-double to left-center. Three pitches later, Burnham picked up her third hit against Kentucky Christian and later scored on an RBI-double by pinch hitter Sydney Willhite. With the bases loaded, Cox delivered a three-run double to the right-center gap, making it 13-2 in favor of the Grizzlies.
Hansis (4-1) recorded the win, surrendering two runs on two hits while striking out five. Adkins was credited with the loss.
Against Point (8-7), the Grizzlies overcame a 2-1 lead by PU to defeat the Skyhawks 7-2. The Grizzlies took a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a sacrifice fly by Vandersip. Point responded with a two-run rally in the bottom of the first, taking the 2-1 lead on a GGC fielding error and RBI-double by Micah Simmons.
Dareus provided the Grizzlies the 5-2 lead in the fifth with a bases-clearing double down the left field line, scoring three Grizzlies.
In the seventh, Georgia Gwinnett used an RBI-double by center fielder Niki Cook and RBI-single by Vandersip to drive in two more insurances runs en route to the 7-2 victory.
Reliever Chelsi Palazzo (3-1) received the victory as the Woodstock, Ga., native struck out seven batters, providing four innings of shutout work for the Grizzlies. Point's Allie Beilstein received the loss, surrendering seven earned runs in the game.
The Grizzlies will square off with No. 16 Reinhardt (Ga.) and Brescia (Ky.) on day two of the 2017 Reinhardt Invitational. First pitch against the Eagles is set for 3:00 p.m. while the Grizzlies will face the Bearcats at 5:00 p.m.
The complete schedule of GGC's games at the Reinhardt Invitational is listed below:
Saturday, Feb. 25:
3:00 p.m. – GGC vs. No. 16 Reinhardt
5:00 p.m. – GGC vs. Brescia (Ky.)
Sunday, Feb. 26:
11:00 a.m. – GGC vs. Brescia (Ky.)
3:00 p.m. – GGC vs. No. 16 Reinhardt
Reinhardt will provide live stats and video for each game of the tournament.
Ticket Pricing
Single-game: $5 (fans are advised to keep their ticket stubs for each day to allow re-entry on the same day to the RU athletic facilities)
Tournament Pass: $10 (fans must present pass all three days)
Web Streaming
Single Day - $7
Tournament Pass: $18
Parking
All patrons are advised to park at the Brown Athletic Center and walk down the sidewalk to Ken White Softball Field. There will be multiple events going on Saturday involving Reinhardt's baseball and men's lacrosse teams which will make fan access to the parking lots at the Isherwood Field House very limited.
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