The 13th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team extended its win streak to five games on Friday as the Grizzlies swept Bryan (Tenn.) in doubleheader action, collecting their 19th and 20th wins of the season.
The Grizzlies (20-5) won both contests 5-4, seeing a two-game total of 19 hits in 14 innings of play.
"Today, we had another strong team performance," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "The pitching staff kept the Lions off balance. Brashante [Dareus] and Hailey [Burnham] did a great job at the plate to help us complete the two wins. Each day, we continue to grow, and our squad eagerly awaits our road trip next week to Truett-McConnell."
Shortstop Brashante Dareus and first baseman Hailey Burnham led the way for the Grizzlies as the duo both turned in 3-for-7 performances at the plate, driving in one run each, in the two contests.
In game one, GGC held a 4-0 lead heading into the fourth inning before the Lions roared back to tie the game at 4-4, scoring two runs in the fourth and fifth innings. In the top of the seventh, Burnham knocked in the go-ahead run with an RBI-single to right, handing the Grizzlies their first win of the day.
Chelsi Palazzo (6-2) received the win as she surrendered just two runs on three hits while striking out three in three innings of relief. Bryan's Sydney West was credited with the loss surrendering five runs, four earned, on eight hits in seven innings of work.
Game two began with a 1-0 Grizzly lead in the first inning as Dareus landed an infield bunt single down the third base line to score center fielder Niki Cook from third.
Georgia Gwinnett pushed its advantage to 3-0 in the fourth behind an RBI-single by third baseman Elyssa Melton and an RBI-double by catcher Anya Vandersip.
Bryan cut the Grizzlies' lead to 3-1 in the fourth with a grounder to second, but Georgia Gwinnett responded with two more runs in the sixth to push their gap to 5-1 Right fielder RaeQuinn Rossetti provided the late-inning lead with a two-run single to center.
While the Lions rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, GGC held strong defensively to pull out the 5-4 victory, sealing the sweep.
Katie Jo Goodwin (4-0) received the win, allowing just one run on six hits in four innings of work. Bryan's Courtney Petty suffered the loss, surrendering five runs on 11 hits in six innings.
Next, Georgia Gwinnett travels to Cleveland, Ga., to face Truett McConnell in doubleheader action on Thursday, March 16. First pitch of the twin bill is set for 2:00 p.m.
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