Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team has established a new program standard for wins in a season after picking up a pair of triumphs Monday in the opening day of the Lawrenceville Bracket of the 2018 NAIA Softball Opening Round, taking place at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

First, the top-seeded Grizzlies (51-3) wasted no time in jumping out in front of the No. 4-seeded University of Northwestern Ohio, defeating the Racers 16-0 in five innings. Then, the team advanced to the championship round by scoring five unanswered runs in a 5-2 come-from-behind win against No. 2-seeded Oregon Tech.

GGC struck for three runs in the top of the first inning in the opening game. A run-scoring single from junior Elyssa Melton scored senior Niki Cook for the first run of the frame. A two-run double from junior Tori Robinson capped the first-inning run production.

Already leading 5-0 in the third inning, Georgia Gwinnett College broke the game open with a five-run inning. Junior Brianna Fickes connected on a three-run home run for the big hit in the frame.

GGC added six more runs as the team scored 16 runs on 16 hits in the victory against Northwestern Ohio (31-13).

Junior pitcher Taylor Hansis scattered three hits over four innings to pick up the victory. The right hander struck out seven batters to improve to 24-2 on the season. Sophomore Jordin Englar retired all three batters she faced in the fifth inning.

In the nightcap, Oregon Tech (37-14) scored a pair of unearned runs in the second inning to take an early lead. But GGC chipped away at the deficit, tying the contest in the third inning on a two-run double from Robinson.

One inning later, the tournament hosts took the lead on a RBI double from sophomore Sydney Willhite. The extra-base hit scored junior Aubree Cox from first base. A bases-loaded walk to junior Elyssa Melton gave the team a 4-2 advantage.

Freshman Piper Wagner went the distance in the pitching circle for GGC, scattering six hits in the contest. She improved to 18-0 on the season.

GGC's pitchers didn't allow an earned run in 12 innings of the Opening Round games.

Sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti and Cook went a combined 12-for-12 at the plate, with nine runs scored, in the two games from the top two batters in Georgia Gwinnett College's lineup. Cook collected four hits in the Oregon Tech contest.

GGC advances to await the winner of Tuesday's game between Oregon Tech and Northwestern Ohio contest. The championship round game will be played at 2:30 p.m. The Grizzlies are needing just one victory to claim their first NAIA World Series appearance in program history.

Turning Point

Trailing 2-0 in the Oregon Tech contest, senior Niki Cook made a diving catch deep in the right-center field gap to end the top of the third inning. The Owls had a runner on the base paths and seemed poised to take a 3-0 lead before Cook's diving catch. GGC took the momentum from the defensive play to the plate and tied the contest in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run double from junior Tori Robinson.

Key Plays

First Game

Top of First

Tori Robinson lined a two-run double down the left-field line to give GGC a 3-0 lead

 

Top of Third

Brianna Fickes connected on a three-run home run to cap a five-run inning for the Grizzlies

 

Second Game

Bottom of Third

Tori Robinson tied the game, 2-2, with a two-run double to right field

 

Bottom of Fourth

Sydney Willhite hit a run-scoring double to bring home Aubree Cox to give GGC a 3-2 lead

Elyssa Melton drew a bases-loaded walk

 

Inside The Numbers

• GGC collected 26 hits in the two games Monday
• Niki Cook and RaeQuinn Rossetti were a combined 12-for-12, with nine runs scored, as the first two batters in GGC's lineup
• The Grizzlies drew five walks in the Oregon Tech contest

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 51-3 on the season; Oregon Tech falls to 37-14 and Northwestern Ohio stands 31-13 this spring
• GGC is the unanimous No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies are 34-1 at the Grizzly Softball Complex in 2018
• GGC has won a school-record 51 games and reached the 50-win plateau for the second consecutive season

Up Next

The championship round of the Lawrenceville Bracket will feature Georgia Gwinnett College playing the winner of the game between Oregon Tech and Northwestern Ohio. The championship game will be played Tuesday, May 15, at 2:30 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex.