The top two batters in the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team's lineup accounted for seven hits and five runs in the Grizzlies' 9-2 victory against Georgetown College (Ky.) in Friday's opening game of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic.

Senior Niki Cook went 4-for-4, with three runs scored, as the team's leadoff batter. Right behind her was sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti, who collected three hits and one run batted in, while scoring two runs.

GGC's offense tallied 12 hits. That helped freshman pitcher Piper Wagner improve to 6-0 on the season. She had a complete-game performance.

The Grizzlies (15-0) took advantage of two passed balls and a fielding error to score two unearned runs in the first inning. The big blow came one inning later when sophomores Sydney Willhite and Rosetti had run-scoring base hits to give the team an early 5-1 advantage.

Georgetown (9-4), which received votes in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll, scored its only runs with single efforts in the first and third innings. However, GGC answered each of the Tigers' scores with multiple runs in the next half inning.

Turning Point

After Georgetown got a run in the first inning, GGC used a three-run second inning to create some distance against the Tigers. A run-scoring single with the bases loaded by sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti was followed by a two-run single from sophomore Sydney Willhite.

Key Plays

Top of First

A passed ball allowed Niki Cook to score after the senior opened the game with a triple down the left-field line

A ground out from Sydney Willhite brought home RaeQuinn Rossetti from third base to give GGC a 2-0 lead

Top of Second

RaeQuinn Rossetti lined a single with the bases loaded to score the first of three runs in the frame

Sydney Willhite gave the Grizzlies a 5-1 lead with a two-run single

Top of Fourth

After a base hit by RaeQuinn Rossetti, a throwing error on an infield play allowed Niki Cook to score. Cook was moving from first to third on the base hit.

Elyssa Melton hit a sacrifice fly to bring home RaeQuinn Rossetti

Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit Georgetown 12-to-9 in the contest
• Six of GGC's nine runs were unearned due to three defensive errors
• Seven players in the Grizzlies' lineup registered at least one hit
• The team has won 15 consecutive games to begin the 2018 season

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 15-0 on the season; Georgetown falls to 9-4
• GGC holds a 4-1 edge in the series and has won the last four meetings played between the two colleges
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the NAIA preseason Top 25 poll; Georgetown received votes in the poll

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College returns to the field today to play St. Ambrose University (Iowa) at 3:30 p.m. in the second game of the day from Columbus, Ga. The NFCA Leadoff Classic continues through Saturday, March 10. Sunday's game against Ottawa University (Kan.) has been moved to Saturday at 6 p.m. The Grizzlies will play three times Saturday.