The fifth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett softball team captured its second Association of Independent Institutions softball tournament championship in three seasons on Saturday as the Grizzlies defeated Edward Waters (Fla.) 4-0 to sweep the tournament with a 3-0 record.
With the win, the Grizzlies are now 2-1 all-time in conference tournament championship games. During the A.I.I. tournament, Georgia Gwinnett (48-7-1) surrendered just one run, outscoring its three opponents 27-1.
"I'm extremely proud of our team's effort this weekend," said GGC head coach Kat Ihlenburg. "Today's championship win is the first of three tournament trophies we hope to lift this season. The ladies have a continual desire to win, play to their best potential, and support each other along the way. Our pitching staff did a phenomenal job while our hitting was timely and effective. We've got one down and two more to go."
GGC, which has outscored its opponents 79-25 in the first inning in 2017, jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Tigers in the opening inning of the contest. A.I.I. Player of the Year Niki Cook led the game off reaching on a walk. After stealing second, Cook then scored on an infield bunt single by shortstop Brashante Dareus to make it 1-0. Five pitches later, catcher Sydney Willhite gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead with an RBI-double to the right-center field gap. Later in the inning, left fielder Anya Vandersip hit a bloop single to shallow left to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 advantage over Edward Waters.
Two innings later, Georgia Gwinnett took advantage of a Tiger fielding error to increase their lead to 4-0.
Senior Chelsi Palazzo and sophomore Taylor Hansis combined for a complete game shutout to lead the Grizzlies to the A.I.I. championship title. Palazzo, who guided the Grizzlies to a 4-0 lead on Friday to reach the championship game, surrendered just two hits while striking out two Tigers in five innings of work.
For their individual efforts, Palazzo, Hansis, Cook, and Willhite were named to the A.I.I.'s All-Tournament team while Palazzo was named the tournament's most outstanding player.
A.I.I. All-Tournament Team
Chelsi Palazzo, Georgia Gwinnett
Taylor Hansis, Georgia Gwinnett
Niki Cook, Georgia Gwinnett
Sydney Willhite, Georgia Gwinnett
Lauren Eaker, Edward Waters
Alyssa Fonda, Edward Waters
Brashell Keys, Edward Waters
Jamara Thomas, Talladega
Taylor Espinoza, Talladega
Mikayla Zimmerman, Fisher
Morgan Selmi, Fisher
The Grizzlies, who will host the NAIA Softball Championship Opening Round's Lawrenceville Bracket May 15-17, now await their matchup that will be revealed on Wednesday, May 10.
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