Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team picked up its 20th consecutive victory behind 6-3 and 4-2 wins against Truett-McConnell University in the Office of Athletics' Military Appreciation Day Saturday at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Prior to the doubleheader, the Office of Athletics' Military Appreciation Day honored military personnel and featured the first flyover of a T-38 supersonic jet over the Grizzly Athletic Complex. The jet from Whiteman Air Force Base (Mo.) soared over the softball field during the national anthem.

On the diamond, GGC jumped out to a big lead in the opening game with a three-run home run by junior Brianna Fickesin the first inning. Junior Aubree Cox scored on a RBI single from sophomore Quentin Staton later in the inning.

The Grizzlies (39-2) added runs in the fourth and fifth innings during a nine-hit offensive attack.

In the second game, Cox connected on a two-run home run in the second inning to turn an early deficit into a 2-1 advantage. A sacrifice fly from senior Niki Cook and run-scoring single by Fickes in the fifth inning gave GGC a 4-1 lead.

Truett-McConnell brought the game-winning run to the plate in the first contest and had the game-tying run at the plate in the second game. The Bears (30-14) are the last team to defeat the Grizzlies when the two teams split a doubleheader in Cleveland, Ga. March 13.

Junior Taylor Hansis allowed seven hits in a complete-game victory in the first game. Freshman Piper Wagner went the distance in the circle in the nightcap. Wagner had five strikeouts in the victory.

Turning Point

Trailing early in the second game, the top-ranked Grizzlies answered the call when junior Aubree Cox connected on a two-run home run over the left-center field fence. The blast gave the hosts a 2-1 lead. Truett-McConnell had taken a 1-0 lead by getting three hits in the top of the second inning.

Key Plays

First Game

Bottom of First

Brianna Fickes connected on a three-run home run to give the Grizzlies the early lead

Quentin Staton then brought home Aubree Cox with a single

 

Bottom of Fourth

RaeQuinn Rossetti hit a run-scoring single through the left side to score Kelli McGrail to give GGC a 5-1 lead

 

Bottom of Fifth

Quentin Staton hit a sacrifice fly to score Tori Robinson

 

Second Game

Bottom of Second

Aubree Cox hit a two-run home run to give the hosts a 2-1 lead

 

Bottom of Fifth

Niki Cook gave the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead with a sacrifice fly that scored Holly Janco

Brianna Fickes singled up the middle to score RaeQuinn Rossetti

 

Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies tallied 17 hits in the doubleheader sweep
• RaeQuinn Rossetti went 3-for-6 with two runs scored and one RBI in the two games
• GGC successfully stole seven bases, led by Niki Cook with three stolen bases
• Quentin Staton had three assists in the first game

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 39-2 on the season; Truett-McConnell drops to 30-14
• GGC is the unanimous No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies has won all 26 home games this season
• The team extended its winning streak to 20 games; Truett-McConnell was the last team to defeat GGC, splitting a doubleheader March 13

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College prepares to take its last road trip of the regular season. First, the team will travel to Talladega College (Ala.) April 21 before playing at Thomas University (Ga.) April 22.