A pair of strong pitching performances led the No. 7 Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to a season-opening doubleheader sweep against College of Coastal Georgia by 2-1 and 1-0 scores Friday afternoon from the Grizzly Softball Complex. 

Junior Taylor Hansis tied the school record with 14 strikeouts in the opener. Then, freshman Piper Wagner stepped into the pitching circle for a shutout in her collegiate debut.

Offensively, junior Elyssa Melton went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, with a run scored, in the opener. Sophomore Sydney Willhite added two hits in the one-run victory.

GGC took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when an error allowed Melton to score from second base. A RBI ground out by junior Aubree Cox one inning later gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage.

In the second game, the hosts broke a scoreless contest when an infield single by sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti scored freshman Holly Janco with two outs in the sixth inning. Janco was in scoring position after hitting a triple to center field.

Turning Point

In the second game, both teams could not generate much offense against GGC pitcher Piper Wagner and Coastal Georgia hurler Chloe Boulineau. In the sixth inning, freshman Holly Janco tripled to center field to put the potential game-winning run into scoring position. A few batters later, sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti hit an infield single to bring home Janco. That's all GGC needed to complete the season-opening doubleheader sweep.

Key Plays

First Game

Bottom of Second

Elyssa Melton scored from second base following a two base throwing error to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead

Bottom of Third

Aubree Cox gives GGC a 2-0 advantage with a RBI groundout

Top of Sixth

With the bases loaded and GGC leading 2-1, junior pitcher Taylor Hansis strikes out Morgan Cobb to keep the lead

Second Game

Bottom of Sixth

Holly Janco triples to center field with one out to put the potential game-winning in scoring position

RaeQuinn Rossetti's infield single brings home Holly Janco for the only run of the game

Inside The Numbers

• In the opener, junior Taylor Hansis tied the single-game school record with 14 strikeouts
• Junior Elyssa Melton went 3-for-3 with a run scored in the first game
• GGC pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts between the two games
• Two of GGC's three hits in the second game went for extra bases

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 2-0 on the season, while Coastal Georgia falls to 3-3 this spring
• GGC has won four of the five meetings with the Mariners
• Due to the weather forecast, Saturday's games of the Grizzly Invitational have been canceled. The Grizzlies are now scheduled to play a doubleheader against Union College (Ky.) Sunday, Feb. 11, starting at 2 p.m.

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Union College (Ky.) Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. from the Grizzly Softball Complex.