Multiple run-producing innings propelled the No. 1-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to its second consecutive doubleheader sweep of Kentucky Christian University in a pair of five-inning contests, winning 12-3 and 10-0 Saturday at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

GGC (23-2) tallied six runs in the first inning of the opening game and used an eight-run third inning in the second contest against the Knights.

In the first game, junior Tori Robinson opened the first-inning scoring with a two-run double. Junior Aubree Cox followed with a bases-clearing triple to give the Grizzlies a 5-1 lead.

The team added two more runs in the second inning and junior Brianna Fickes connected on a three-run home run one inning later to extend the hosts' advantage to 11-1.

The early offense gave plenty of support to junior pitcher Jordin Englar. The left hander struck out two batters and issued no walks in picking up the victory in the pitching circle.

It took until the third inning for the Grizzlies' offensive to ignite in the second game. A two-run double by sophomore Sydney Willhite helped give GGC a 4-0 lead. A sacrifice fly by sophomore Anya Vandersip, two walks with the bases loaded and a run-scoring single by junior Elyssa Melton capped the team's eight-run frame.

Junior pitcher Taylor Hansis scattered three hits and recorded five strikeouts in picking up her 10th victory of the season.  

Turning Point

Georgia Gwinnett College took any drama out of the first game of the doubleheader with a six-run first inning. A pair of walks started things and provided RBI opportunities for the middle of GGC's lineup. A two-run double by junior Tori Robinson opened the scoring. The big hit in the frame was the bases-clearing triple by junior Aubree Cox.

Key Plays

First Game

Bottom of First

Tori Robinson opened the scoring to a six-run inning with a two-run double

Aubree Cox cleared the bases with a triple to give GGC a 5-1 lead

Anya Vandersip hit a sacrifice fly that drove home Aubree Cox

Bottom of Second

Crystal Busbee hit a two-run single to score Sydney Willhite and Tori Robinson

Bottom of Third

Brianna Fickes connected on a three-run home to center field to give GGC an 11-1 advantage

Second Game

Bottom of Third

Elyssa Melton gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage with a run-scoring double

Sydney Willhite lined a double to score two runs and give GGC a 4-0 lead

Anya Vandersip hit a sacrifice fly to score Sydney Willhite

A bases-loaded walk to Holly Janco closed out the eight-run inning

Bottom of Fourth

Quentin Staton hit a run-scoring single to bring home Ashlyn Brewster

Inside The Numbers

• GGC drew eight walks in the second game
• The Grizzlies collected 15 hits in the two games, led by a 10-hit performance in the opener
• The team outscored Kentucky Christian 39-to-5 in the four-game series
• Four players registered multiple-RBI performances in Saturday's first game

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 23-2 on the season; Kentucky Christian drops to 5-10
• GGC is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Top 25 poll
• The team has won all 14 games played at the Grizzly Softball Complex this spring
• GGC went 5-0 this season against Kentucky Christian and has won 11 of the 12 meetings all-time between the two colleges

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College wraps up its six-game weekend home stand against the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) Sunday, March 18, at 1 p.m. from the Grizzly Softball Complex.