The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team shined in its first time on the national stage, scoring six runs in the first two innings in a resounding 7-0 victory against No. 9-seeded Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) Saturday evening in the Grizzlies' NAIA World Series debut at the Legends Way Ballfields.

Top-seeded GGC (53-4) tallied three runs in each of the first and second innings to build an early 6-0 lead. A two-run double to left field from sophomore Sydney Willhite opened the scoring and junior Brianna Fickes followed with another RBI double to cap the team's big first inning.

The next inning, senior Niki Cook stole second and third bases on consecutive pitches. She then scored on a throwing error during the steal attempt of third base. Back-to-back bases-loaded walks to junior Elyssa Melton and sophomore Quentin Staton brought home two additional runs in the frame.

The early production was enough for junior right hander Taylor Hansis, who struck out five batters in the shutout pitching performance. She got out of bases-loaded jams in the sixth and seventh innings, and scattered seven hits to improve to 25-3 on the season.

Freshman Holly Janco hit a sacrifice fly to bring home sophomore Anya Vandersip for an insurance run in the seventh inning.

Junior Tori Robinson and Willhite each collected two hits for the Grizzlies. Five additional players registered a hit in the team's nine-hit offensive attack.

Turning Point

Georgia Gwinnett College capitalized on its early scoring chances. With two base runners and one out in the top of the first inning, sophomore Sydney Willhite lined a two-run double to the wall in left field to open the scoring. Willhite later scored on a run-scoring double by junior Brianna Fickes. The doubles helped give the Grizzlies a 3-0 first-inning advantage.

Key Plays

Top of First

Sydney Willhite opened the scoring with a two-run double to left field

Brianna Fickes lined a run-scoring double to bring home Sydney Willhite, giving GGC a 3-0 lead

Top of Second

Niki Cook stole second and third bases, and then scored on a throwing error when Freed-Hardeman's defense tried to get Cook out at third base

Elyssa Melton drew a bases-loaded walk to stretch the Grizzlies' lead to 5-0

Quentin Staton followed with a walk with the bases loaded to give the team even more runs

Top of Seventh

Holly Janco hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Anya Vandersip to cap the team's scoring

Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit Freed-Hardeman 9-to-7 in the contest
• Tori Robinson and Sydney Willhite each collected two hits in the victory
• The team drew six walks
• The Grizzlies have outscored their opponents in NAIA postseason play 32-to-7 (five games)

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 53-4 on the season; Freed-Hardeman falls to 36-15 this spring
• GGC made its debut at the NAIA World Series
• GGC is striving to become the third straight No. 1 seed to win the NAIA national championship
• The Grizzlies hold a 2-1 edge in the series with Freed-Hardeman; all three meetings have occurred at neutral-site venues
• GGC was the unanimous No. 1-ranked team in the final NAIA Top 25 poll of the regular season

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College advances to face No. 4-seeded Science & Arks (Okla.) in a winner's bracket contest Monday, May 28, at 3:30 p.m.