Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Strong pitching performances from junior Taylor Hansis and freshman Piper Wagner lifted the No. 1-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to a Sunday doubleheader sweep against the University of the Cumberlands, winning 7-2 and 6-0 at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Hansis didn't allow a hit until the seventh inning of the first game. The right hander surrendered a leadoff single to shallow left field to break up the no-hit bid. She struck out five batters and allowed two hits across seven innings in the 7-2 triumph.

Not to be outdone, Wagner had five strikeouts and allowed five hits in a shutout performance in the nightcap.

Offensively, sophomore Sydney Willhite connected on a three-run home run in the third inning to open the scoring in the first game. Junior Tori Robinson added a two-run home run in the fifth inning to give GGC a 5-0 lead.

In the second game, senior Niki Cook and sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti combined for five hits, three runs and two RBI as the top two hitters in the lineup. Cook went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored from the leadoff spot in the batting order. Juniors Elyssa Melton and Brianna Fickes each collected two hits in the victory.

GGC (25-2) used a five-run third inning to break open the nightcap.

Turning Point

Sophomore Sydney Willhite delivered a breakthrough base hit with a three-run home run in the third inning of Sunday's opening game. The catcher lifted a pitch over the left field fence to break a scoreless game. GGC used the momentum to score two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to win the opener.

Key Plays

First Game

Bottom of Third

Sydney Willhite connected on a three-run home run to left field to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead

 

Bottom of Fifth

Tori Robinson connected on a two-run home run

 

Bottom of Sixth

Elyssa Melton drove home Elyssa Melton on a fielder's choice. A throwing error on the play allows RaeQuinn Rossetti to score from second base

 

Second Game

Bottom of First

RaeQuinn Rossetti doubled down the left field line to bring home Niki Cook with the first run of the game

 

Bottom of Third

RaeQuinn Rossetti's run-scoring double brought home Niki Cook to give the hosts a 2-0 lead

RaeQuinn Rossetti scored following a defensive throwing error on a base hit by Elyssa Melton

Sydney Willhite singled to left field to score the third run of the inning

Aubree Cox hit a two-run single up the middle

 

Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit Cumberlands 18-to-7 in the doubleheader
• Niki Cook and RaeQuinn Rossetti went 5-for-6, with three runs scored and two RBI, as the first two batters in GGC's second game lineup
• Elyssa Melton had 10 putouts at first base in the nightcap

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 25-2 on the season; Cumberlands is now 5-13
• GGC is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Top 25 poll
• Junior Taylor Hansis took a no-hitter until the seventh inning in the first game
• The team outscored its opponents 52-to-7 during the six games over the weekend
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won all 16 games played at the Grizzly Softball Complex this spring

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College hosts Montreat College (N.C.) during the program's Senior Day Friday, March 23, at 4 p.m. from the Grizzly Softball Complex.