Behind 27 runs on 29 hits, the fifth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team overpowered Milligan (Tenn.) in doubleheader road action on Saturday, sweeping the Buffaloes in the Grizzlies' 15-1 and 12-3 victories in Elizabethton, Tenn.
"Today, we had a very strong offensive performance in both games, and our pitchers also rose to the occasion, delivering commanding efforts in the center circle" said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "While I'm proud of everyone's effort as a group, I think it's notable to recognize Niki [Cook] on reaching the 100 hits and 60 steals milestones today. Each player is contributing and carrying her own weight on this team right now, and we look forward to these final four regular season games to prepare us for the A.I.I. tournament in May."
In game one, junior center fielder Niki Cook reached the 60 steals milestone, swiping a base in the seventh inning. In the contest, Cook went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored, moving one hit away from the century mark.
Shortstop Brashante Dareus led the Grizzlies in game one with a 4-for-5 showing, driving in two runs while scoring on two occasions. First baseman Hailey Burnham also posted a noteworthy effort, going 3-for-4 in the contest while also driving in two runs and scoring twice.
Georgia Gwinnett (43-7-1) started its offensive explosion in the top of the second, scoring six runs for the early 6-0 lead. Cook drove in the first run of the game with an RBI-single to short. On a 3-2 count, right fielder RaeQuinn Rossetti made it 2-0 with an RBI-single to short as well while Dareus' two-run double down the left field line increased the Grizzlies' gap to 4-0. Catcher Sydney Willhite joined in on the action three pitches later with an RBI-double of her own. A Buffalo error later in the inning scored GGC's sixth run of the second frame.
The Grizzlies posted another run in the fifth with a chopper to the center circle by designated player Mary Burk, pushing the lead to 7-0; however, most of GGC's damage was done in the final inning of play as the Grizzlies plated eight runs on five hits and Milligan's second error of the contest. Of note, Cook, Willhite, and Burnham had RBI hits in the inning to push the Grizzlies' gap to 15-0.
While the Buffaloes (17-18) managed a run in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run by third baseman Kacie Skeen, Milligan could not overcome GGC's early gap, falling 15-1 in game one.
Sophomore Taylor Hansis (17-4) received the win in the complete-game effort, striking out a new GGC single-game record 14 batters in seven innings of work. The right-hander surrendered just one run on three hits in the contest while allowing two walks. Milligan's Kimberly Robinson was credited with the loss, giving up six runs, five earned, on eight hits in two innings.
In the nightcap of the twin bill, Georgia Gwinnett jumped out to a 12-0 lead after three innings of play and held on to beat the Buffaloes 12-3 in a five-inning, run-rule victory.
Cook eclipsed the 100 hits mark for the season in game two, collecting two hits in the contest.
In the first inning of play, Dareus drove in the first of GGC's 12 runs with an RBI-double to the left-center gap. Two pitches later, Willhite made it 2-0 with an infield chopper to short, scoring Rossetti. Left fielder Aubree Cox extended GGC's lead to 3-0 with an RBI-single to left while Burnham provided the Grizzlies with their fourth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to left-center, scoring Cox for the 4-0 lead.
An inning later, the scoring barrage continued as the Grizzlies plated five runs for the 9-0 advantage over the Buffaloes. Catcher Anya Vandersip started the rally with an RBI-double down the right field line and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Dareus, pushing the gap to 6-0. On a 0-1 count, Willhite lifted her sixth home run of the season over the left field fence, increasing the lead to 9-0 in GGC' favor. The three-run shot gave the Grizzlies the eight-run lead required for a run-rule victory after five innings of play.
Heading into the third with a 9-0 lead, Georgia Gwinnett piled on three more runs, moving the gap to 12-0 as Cook ripped an RBI-triple to the left field corner while Willhite provided her third RBI-hit of the contest, pushing two more runs across the plate for the 12-0 GGC lead.
Milligan would go on to score three runs in the third, cutting the Grizzlies' advantage to 12-3, but the Buffaloes were held scoreless in the final two innings of play to give GGC its second win of the day.
Senior Katie Jo Goodwin (12-1) was game two's winner, scattering seven hits and three runs, two earned, in five innings of work. Milligan's Jaclyn Jenkins was credited with game two's loss, surrendering nine earned runs on seven hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Georgia Gwinnett continues its road trip as the Grizzlies travel to Black Mountain, N.C., to face Montreat (N.C.) on April 18. GGC will return to the Grizzly Softball Complex for its regular season finale against Talladega (Ala.) on April 22 at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
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