The 13th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team improved to 22-5 in 2017 on Thursday as the Grizzlies shut out Truett-McConnell (Ga.) in both of their wins, taking game one 1-0 while winning game two 3-0.
With the sweep, the Grizzlies are now on a seven-game winning streak.
"It was great to see the team play strong after a fairly long layoff," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "Our pitchers, Katie Jo [Goodwin] and Taylor [Hansis], kept Truett-McConnell on its heels all afternoon, and our offense was able to take advantage of its opportunities when they were given to us."
In game one, sophomore Taylor Hansis pitched seven shutout innings, surrendering just five hits in the contest while striking out six.
Freshman right fielder RaeQuinn Rossetti went 3-for-4 in the opening contest of the twin bill to lead the team. An RBI-double by shortstop Brashante Dareus in the top of the third plated the lone run of GGC's 1-0 victory.
In the nightcap, Georgia Gwinnett took a 3-0 lead in the first inning of play and held on for the victory. Senior Katie Jo Goodwin (5-0) pitched a four-hit shutout in GGC's 22nd win of the season, striking out three Bears in seven innings of work.
Center fielder Niki Cook led off the contest with a single up the middle, stole second and third bases, and then scored on an erred throw to third by the TMU catcher to give GGC the 1-0 advantage. Dareus provided the Grizzlies with a 2-0 lead with her fourth home run of the season, lifting the solo shot over the center field fence. Moments later, first baseman Hailey Burnham went back-to-back with Dareus launching a solo home run over the left field wall for the 3-0 Grizzly lead.
Goodwin worked her way through the next seven innings, shutting down Truett-McConnell for the 3-0 win.
Next, Georgia Gwinnett returns to the Grizzly Softball Complex on Saturday, March 18 when the Grizzlies host Tennessee Wesleyan in doubleheader action. First pitch of the twin bill is set for 1:00 p.m.
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