The 13th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team split on day two of the Reinhardt Invitational in Waleska, Ga., falling to host No. 16 Reinhardt (Ga.) 6-1 while ending its evening with a 12-5 come-from-behind victory over Brescia (Ky.). The Grizzlies are now 11-3 on the year.
"Today was a rough day, but we ended it on a high note, rallying for the win against Brescia," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "We made a lot of mental errors today that cost us at times, but overall we learned and have another opportunity tomorrow to improve. We simply need to get better."
In game one, No. 16 Reinhardt used a five-run first inning to obtain a 5-0 lead that the Grizzlies struggled to overcome. The Eagles (7-4) scored four runs on four bases-loaded walks before pushing their lead to 5-0 when catcher Cassidy Howren was hit by GGC starter Taylor Hansis.
Reinhardt added an insurance run in the third with an RBI-double by Howren. While the Grizzlies scored their first run of the game on an RBI-single to center by center fielder Niki Cook in the fourth, the Eagles' early lead was too much as Georgia Gwinnett fell 6-1, snapping a five-game winning streak.
Hansis received the loss while RU's Madison Luck was credited with the win.
In the nightcap, Georgia Gwinnett overcame a 5-3 deficit with a nine-run sixth inning to defeat Brescia 12-5. Second baseman Quentin Staton led the sixth inning off with a single up the middle. Left fielder Aubree Cox walked and right fielder RaeQuinn Rossetti singled to load the bases. With no outs, Cook was hit by a pitch to make it 5-4. On the next pitch, catcher Anya Vandersip gave GGC the 6-5 lead with a two-run single to center. Shortstop Brashante Dareus then cleared the bases launching a three-run home run over the center field fence, increasing the Grizzlies' lead to 9-5. The rally continued as Georgia Gwinnett capitalized on three Bearcat errors to score its final three runs of the inning for the 12-5 lead.
Reliever Chelsi Palazzo came on in the seventh and shut Brescia down in 1-2-3 order to clinch the Grizzlies' victory. Palazzo received the win, striking out five batters in four innings of relief. Brescia's Shelby Franklin was credited with the loss, surrendering 12 runs, eight earned, on 10 hits.
The Grizzlies will square off again with Brescia and Reinhardt on the final day of the 2017 Reinhardt Invitational on Sunday. First pitch against the Bearcats is set for 11:00 a.m. while the Grizzlies finish their invitation participation with a head-to-head meeting with Reinhardt at 3:00 p.m.
Reinhardt will provide live stats and video for each game.
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)
Web Streaming
Single Day - $7
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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