After tying the game in the seventh inning, the No. 7-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team followed by scoring eight times in the top of the eighth inning to rally past No. 14 Reinhardt University 11-4 in Saturday's action at the Reinhardt Invitational.

Earlier in the day, the Grizzlies defeated Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) 9-1 in five innings.

Against Reinhardt, GGC (12-0) found itself trailing 3-1 in the sixth inning. That's when freshman Holly Janco hit a run-scoring single to pull the team within a run. An inning later, junior Aubree Cox's sacrifice fly scored junior Tori Robinson to tie the game, 3-3. Robinson hit a one-out triple to get into scoring position.

In the pivotal eighth inning, the Grizzlies finally climbed on top, 4-3, when junior Crystal Busbee scored on a bases-loaded fielder's choice by sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti. A two-run double by junior Elyssa Melton extended the lead to 6-3, and an infield single by sophomore Sydney Willhite brought home Rossetti with an insurance run. Then, Robinson broke things wide open with a crushing three-run home run, pushing the margin to 10-3. A run-scoring single by Busbee capped the eight-run frame.

Reinhardt (6-2) scored two runs in the first and added a run in the second inning to take the early advantage.

Senior Niki Cook went 3-for-5 in the Reinhardt game and was one of six players with multiple-hit efforts. Robinson had three RBI and scored two runs. Cox went 2-for-3 as part of GGC's 15-hit attack.

In the game against Freed-Hardeman (5-3), the Grizzlies used a pair of four-run frames in the first and third innings to take a commanding 9-0 lead. The team collected 11 hits in the game.

Saturday's two victories gave Kat Ihlenburg 200 wins as head coach of the GGC softball program.

Turning Point

GGC was looking to grab its first lead of the game in extra innings when sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti hit a ground ball with the bases loaded. Reinhardt attempted to get junior Crystal Busbee out at the plate by throwing home. However, she beat out the play to give GGC a 4-3 lead. The play was just what the visitors needed to seize the momentum. Junior Tori Robinson hit a three-run home run to break the game open in the eighth inning.

Key Plays

Freed-Hardeman Game

Top of First

Kelli McGrail hit a two-run single to give GGC a 4-0 lead

Top of Third

Holly Janco connected on a single to drive home Aubree Cox for the first run of the four-run inning

Niki Cook drove in a pair of runs with an infield single

Reinhardt Game

Top of Sixth

Holly Janco cut GGC's deficit to 3-2 with a single to left-center field

Top of Seventh

Tori Robinson tripled with one out to bring the game-tying run into scoring position

Aubree Cox hit a sacrifice fly to score Robinson and force extra innings

Top of Eighth

RaeQuinn Rossetti broke a 3-3 tie with a ground ball in a bases-loaded situation. Reinhardt elected to get the force out at home plate. However, baserunner Crystal Busbee beat the throw, giving GGC a 4-3 lead

Elyssa Melton drove in two runs to give the visitors some key insurance runs

Tori Robinson connected on a three-run home run to push the lead to 10-3

Inside The Numbers

• GGC collected 26 hits across the two games
• Six players had two or more hits in the Reinhardt victory
• The Grizzlies left 15 base runners across the two games, including 15 against Reinhardt
• Saturday's game against Reinhardt was the first extra-inning game for GGC since a 3-2 setback against Warner University in nine innings at the 2017 NAIA Opening Round

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 12-0 on the season; Freed-Hardman stands 5-3; Reinhardt is 6-2 in 2018
• GGC has defeated Freed-Hardeman for the first time in program history. 
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the NAIA preseason Top 25 poll; Reinhardt was ranked No. 14 in the poll
• GGC won its 200th game in program history; this also marked the 200th collegiate head coaching victory for Kat Ihlenburg

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College's Sunday's doubleheader against Thomas University (Ga.) has been canceled because of impending inclement weather. The team is scheduled to play at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., March 9-11.