On Saturday, the fifth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team celebrated its annual Senior Day festivities, honoring the 2017 senior class while sweeping Bryan (Tenn.) in doubleheader action.
Prior to game one, the Grizzlies honored Mary Burk, Hailey Burnham, Brashante Dareus, Katie Jo Goodwin, and Chelsi Palazzo for their time spent in a GGC uniform.
The Grizzlies (33-5-1) swept the Lions in the afternoon doubleheader, taking game one 7-3 while defeating Bryan (15-15) 4-1 in the nightcap of the twin bill.
With Saturday's wins, the Grizzlies have not lost in 19 consecutive contests dating back to March 4's 9-6 result to then ranked No. 12 and now No. 6 Campbellsville (Ky.) and have won eight straight games.
"Each senior had an impact that led to two successful outcomes against Bryan today," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "From the center circle to hitting to even our defense, each senior contributed to helping the team secure two more key victories. Overall, our team as whole captured two more impactful wins towards our goals this season. I'm glad we had the opportunity to win on Senior Day and to make a lasting memory for these women for years to come."
In game one, Dareus broke GGC's all-time career home runs record, lifting a grand slam home run over the center field fence. Her 15th career home run of her brief, two-year GGC career was her eighth of the season and fourth grand slam home run of 2017.
GGC took a 1-0 lead in the first on a Lion fielding error. Three innings later, Dareus' grand slam pushed the Grizzlies' gap to 5-0.
Bryan broke up the shutout in the top of the fifth as center fielder Kim Borowski lifted a two-run double to the left-center field gap, cutting the Grizzly lead to 5-2. Georgia Gwinnett responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth, using RBI-singles by right fielder RaeQuinn Rossetti and catcher Sydney Willhite to push their advantage to 7-2.
While a solo home run by Bryan's left fielder Kaleigh Riley cut GGC's lead to 7-3, the Lions could not overcome the Grizzlies' early lead.
Goodwin (10-0) remained undefeated in 2017, picking up her 10th win of the season. She surrendered just three runs on eight hits in the complete-game effort. Bryan's Syndey West was credited with the loss, allowing seven runs, six earned, on 11 hits.
In game two, the Grizzlies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of play, capitalizing on one of three Bryan fielding errors in the contest.
Palazzo, GGC's starting pitcher, held the Lions scoreless through the first five innings of play before Bryan plated its lone run of game two on an infield grounder to second by third baseman Aubrie Osborne.
In the bottom of the sixth, Georgia Gwinnett plated two insurance runs on RBI-singles by third baseman Elyssa Melton and Burk.
Palazzo (9-2) picked up the win, surrendering just one run on two hits while striking out six. Bryan's Courtney Petty received the loss.
Of note, center fielder Niki Cook reached on all seven of her plate appearances, going 4-for-4 in game one while tallying a 1-for-1 showing, including a walk and hit by pitch, in game two. Cook accounted for four of GGC's 11 runs on the day.
Next, Georgia Gwinnett will travel to Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, April 4 to face NCAA Division III foe Birmingham Southern in doubleheader action. First pitch from the BSC Softball Complex will take place at 4:00 p.m.
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