The fifth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team wrapped up the 2017 regular season on Saturday as the Grizzlies tied and broke its single-season wins record, previously set at 44 in the 2016 season, with a doubleheader sweep over Association of Independent Institutions rival Talladega (Ala.), winning both games in run-rule victories.
In game one, the Grizzlies used 12 hits to win 8-0 while they completed the season sweep (4-0) of the Tornadoes with an 11-0 win in game two. With the wins, Georgia Gwinnett is now 13-1 all-time versus Talladega.
"Today was a great day for our team as we picked up the sweep," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "Mary [Burk] definitely had a standout performance for us. I am happy for the team on setting new standards of success in a season with 45 wins this year. This is a unique group, and we hope to continue to play well together deep into the postseason."
Sophomore Taylor Hansis and senior Katie Jo Goodwin combined for a three-hit shutout in GGC's 8-0 win in game one. Hansis (18-4) picked up the win, collecting five strikeouts in four innings of work while scattering three hits.
The Grizzlies (45-7-1) did most of their damage in the first inning of play, collecting a 4-0 lead over the Tornadoes in the opening frame. Catcher Sydney Willhite, who went 2-for-2 in game one, drove in the first two Grizzly runs of the day with a two-run single to the left-center gap, taking a 2-0 advantage. With the bases loaded, designated player Mary Burk made it 3-0 with an RBI-single to right while GGC scored its fourth and final run of the inning on a wild throw by Talladega's third baseman.
Georgia Gwinnett went on to score at least one run in the next three innings, pushing their lead to 8-0 to collect the first run-rule victory of the day. First baseman Hailey Burnham pushed GGC's lead to 5-0 in the second with an RBI-single to left while an RBI-single to third by right fielder RaeQuinn Rossetti in the third inning gave the Grizzlies a 6-0 gap over the Tornadoes.
In the fourth inning, GGC closed out game one with RBI-singles by Anya Vandersip and Quentin Staton. Goodwin came on in the fifth to secure the win with a scoreless 1-2-3 inning.
Game two witnessed 14 hits over four innings where the Grizzlies posted a seven-run rally in the second inning to take a sizeable lead over Talladega (16-32).
Willhite, who also went 2-for-2 in game two with three RBIs, gave the Grizzlies the early 2-0 lead with a two-run single to center.
The seven-run second inning started with a two-run single by Rossetti, pushing GGC's lead to 4-0. A batter later, Willhite collected her second RBI hit of the game with single to deep short, making it 5-0. Later in the inning, left fielder Aubree Cox drove in GGC's sixth run of game two with a chopper to second. With runners on the corners, second baseman Nikki Miller launched her first home run of the season over the left field fence, increasing the Grizzly advantage to 9-0.
Georgia Gwinnett plated two more runs, one in the third on a pinch-hit sacrifice fly by Courtney McKenzie and another with an RBI-triple by third baseman Elyssa Melton, to push its gap to 11-0 in the run-rule victory.
Senior Chelsi Palazzo (14-2) received the shutout victory, striking out three batters while scattering two hits in four innings of work. Talladega's Maya Canul (3-6) was credited with the loss, allowing 11 runs, 10 earned, on 14 hits.
On the day, Georgia Gwinnett combined for 19 runs on 26 hits in eight innings at the plate in the doubleheader sweep.
The Grizzlies will now prepare for postseason play as Georgia Gwinnett hosts and will compete in the Association of Independent Institutions Conference tournament May 4-6 held at the Grizzly Softball Complex in Lawrenceville, Ga.
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