The 13th-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team captured its 17th and 18th wins of 2017 on Thursday as the Grizzlies swept Montreat (N.C.) in doubleheader action with two run-rule victories.

In game one, the Grizzlies were fueled by a walk-off grand slam by shortstop Brashante Dareus in their 11-1 victory while game two witnessed a superior pitching performance by three-time defending Association of Independent Institutions' Pitcher of the Week Taylor Hansis in GGC's 8-0 victory.

"Our offense was very productive today," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "We had a lot of quality at-bats and that has been the focus all season long.  I am looking forward to keeping our momentum and focus up tomorrow as we face Bryan on the road."

In the first contest against Montreat (6-18), the Grizzlies surged out to a 6-0 lead after the first two innings of play.  In the first, a sacrifice fly by left fielder Aubree Cox scored the first Grizzly run of the day while an RBI-single by third baseman Elyssa Melton and a bases-loaded walk to catcher Courtney McKenzie gave GGC the 3-0 advantage.  In the second, a stolen base by center fielder Niki Cook and a wild throw by the Cavaliers' catcher scored Cook to make it 4-0 while an RBI-single by Dareus and another sacrifice fly by Cox gave the Grizzlies the 6-0 edge.

Montreat scored its lone run of the day in the top of the fourth when right fielder Ally Powell's bunt to first allowed shortstop Karley Yeager to score on the throw.

With the 6-1 advantage, GGC would score five more runs in the fifth, including Dareus' grand slam, to defeat the Cavaliers 11-1.

GGC's starting pitcher Chelsi Palazzo recorded the win, surrendering just one run on four hits while striking out four Cavaliers.  Montreat's Allison Moody was credited with the loss.

In game two, Hansis pitched a complete game shutout, surrendering just one hit while striking out eight Cavaliers in five innings of work.

The Grizzlies rallied behind three runs in the first and four in the second to take a 7-0 lead into the fifth inning.  With second baseman Quentin Staton on third, a passed ball by Montreat's catcher allowed Staton to score the Grizzlies' eighth run of the game, sending GGC to the 8-0 run-rule victory.

On the day, Dareus combined for the cycle through two contests, recording a single, double, triple, and home run while going 4-for-7 at the plate with six RBIs and four runs scored.

Next, Georgia Gwinnett hits the road to Dayton, Tenn., to face Bryan (Tenn.) in doubleheader action.  First pitch of the twin bill is set for 1:00 p.m.

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