Behind an 11-run third inning, the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team defeated Lawrence Technological University (Mich.) 12-1 in five innings during the second game of Saturday's tripleheader action at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic.

The No. 7-ranked Grizzlies (17-1) bounced back from suffering their first loss of the season, 7-3, to Warner University (Fla.). GGC was one of the final two remaining undefeated teams in the NAIA.

Georgia Gwinnett College collected nine hits and took advantage of one defensive error to score 11 times in the third inning to build a 12-1 lead against the Blue Devils. Sophomore Anya Vandersip had a key two-run single during the middle of the inning. Senior Niki Cook lined a double down the leftfield line to give GGC a 2-1 lead. A dropped fly ball scored two runs before Vandersip's two-run base hit.

Later in the inning, Cook provided the fans with an exciting two-run inside-the-park home run to right field. That effort gave GGC an 11-1 advantage.

Sophomore Jordin Englar scattered four hits and had three strikeouts in the complete-game victory in the circle.

Warner used a five-run second inning to defeat the Grizzlies. A three-run home run was the critical hit for the Royals. Vandersip provided a run-scoring single for GGC in the top of the second to tie the contest at 1-1. The Grizzlies pushed across two runs in the seventh inning and brought the potential game-tying run to the on-deck circle before a double play ended the threat.

Turning Point

Leading 3-1 in the third inning, the Grizzlies broke the game open when a fly ball was dropped and two additional runs came across home plate. GGC collected nine hits to score 11 times in the inning.

Key Plays

First Game

Top of Second

Anya Vandersip connected on a RBI triple to tie the contest at 1-1

Bottom of Second

Cortney Bunker gave the Royals a 2-1 lead with a run-scoring single

Avery Cotterill connected on a sacrifice fly

Sara Bruno hit a three-run home to cap the five-run frame

Second Game

Top of Third

Niki Cook doubled down the left-field line to open the scoring in the big inning

Elyssa Melton gave GGC a 3-1 lead on a run-scoring single

A dropped fly ball scored two runs for the Grizzlies

Anya Vandersip drove in Tori Robinson and Crystal Busbee with a single up the middle

Inside The Numbers

• GGC collected 15 hits against Lawrence Tech
• The 11 runs scored in the third inning is the second most runs the team has scored in an inning this spring
• Tori Robinson collected two hits in both games
• The Grizzlies have scored 29 runs in the four games so far at the NFCA Leadoff Classic

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College stands 17-1 on the season; Warner improved to 14-6; Lawrence Technological drops to 4-7
• GGC was one of the final two remaining undefeated teams for this season
• Warner has won all three meetings with the Grizzlies; GGC and Lawrence Technological were playing for first time

Up Next

The NFCA Leadoff Classic wraps up Saturday night when Georgia Gwinnett College plays No. 13-ranked Ottawa University (Kan.), starting at 6 p.m.