Junior Elyssa Melton had a perfect 6-for-6 hitting performance, with eight runs batted in and four runs scored, as the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team earned a pair of shutout five-inning victories Saturday in the Grizzly Classic at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

GGC defeated Bryan College (Tenn.) 16-0 in the opener before earning an 8-0 victory against West Virginia Tech in the afternoon.

Melton drove in five runs as part of a nine-run first inning in the opener. The infielder then tied a school record with two triples in the second game of the day.

The Grizzlies collected 12 hits to score their 16 runs against Bryan. Sophomore Kelli McGrail had three hits and four RBI in the victory.

In the West Virginia Tech game, Melton collected two of the team's four hits. Senior Niki Cook scored two runs while freshman Ashlyn Brewster touched home on two occasions.

Junior pitcher Taylor Hansis recorded her first shutout of the season in the nightcap, scattering three hits over the five innings. The right hander improved to 3-0 on the season. Freshman Jordin Englar allowed two hits over five scoreless innings against Bryan to pick up the victory in her GGC debut.

GGC pitchers have not allowed a run in 21 consecutive innings.

Turning Point

Against Bryan, the Grizzlies wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard. Following walks to Niki Cook and RaeQuinn Rossetti, junior Elyssa Melton connected on the team's first home run of the 2018 season, giving GGC a quick 3-0 advantage. The team would add six more runs to take a commanding lead in the game.

Key Plays

Bryan Game

Bottom of First

Elyssa Melton connected on a three-run home run to give GGC an early 3-0 lead

Elyssa Melton drives in her fifth run of the frame with a run-scoring single

Bottom of Third

Courtney McKenzie's run-scoring single drives home Kelli McGrail

West Virginia Tech Game

Bottom of Second

Elyssa Melton clears the bases with a triple to center field. This pushed the Grizzlies' lead to 5-0

Inside The Numbers

• GGC hitters drew 21 walks, including 12 in the Bryan game
• RaeQuinn Rossetti, Elyssa Melton and Kelli McGrail each scored multiple runs in Saturday's first contest
• GGC pitchers have went 21 innings without allowing a run
• The Grizzlies scored 24 runs on 15 base hits in the two games; they have outscored opponents 37-2 in the Grizzly Classic

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 6-0 on the season; Bryan stands 1-5 after defeating West Virginia Tech 1-0 in eight innings; West Virginia opened the season Saturday
• GGC has won 14 of the 15 meetings with Bryan; the team owns a 4-0 record all time against West Virginia Tech
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the NAIA preseason Top 25 poll

Up Next

The Grizzly Classic concludes Sunday, Feb. 18, with a doubleheader between GGC and West Virginia Tech, starting at noon, from the Grizzly Softball Complex.