Box Score

The record-setting Georgia Gwinnett College 2018 softball season came to a close as one of the final six teams in the NAIA World Series. A 7-2 loss Tuesday to 10-time national champion Oklahoma City University eliminated the Grizzlies from the tournament.

GGC set a single-season school record with 53 victories, became the college's first softball team to earn a No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Top 25 poll and made its first NAIA World Series appearance in the program's six seasons of existence. The team also captured another Association of Independent Institutions championship, won 35 of 37 home games, and ranked among national team and individual leaders in several statistical categories.

With only one senior on this year's team, more success could be on the horizon for the Grizzlies, and there were many lessons learned from the program's first trip to the World Series.

"What an incredible team and energy that they had to get to this point. They continued to believe and take pride in the process. That is what will go down about this team," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg. "Sometimes you have to do some things to figure it out and the right pieces have to fall in the right order. We had a lot of opportunities today and last night (4-1 loss to No. 4-seeded University of Science & Arts), but we will continue to work and we will continue to see great outcomes."

Trying to battle back from an early 3-1 deficit, Georgia Gwinnett College stranded the bases loaded on two separate occasions and left nine baserunners in the contest.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City got a bases-clearing triple from Brittany Perez in the top of the seventh inning to break the game open, turning a 3-2 lead into a 6-2 advantage. An RBI ground out later in the inning added another insurance run for the Stars.

Oklahoma City, the two-time defending NAIA national champions, got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning with a two-out, two-run single by Laci Joynes.

GGC (53-6) cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom half of the first inning with an RBI double from sophomore Sydney Willhite. The Oklahoma opponent took advantage of another two-out run-scoring single in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead.

In the fourth inning, senior Niki Cook brought home junior Aubree Cox with an infield single to trim the deficit to one run, 3-2.

The Grizzlies loaded the bases one inning later, but Oklahoma City pitcher Jaden Shores would get a fly out to get out of the jam. The Stars carried the momentum into their pivotal four-run seventh inning.

Turning Point

For the second time in the game, the Grizzlies loaded the bases while trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth frame. Back-to-back singles from junior Tori Robinson and sophomore Sydney Willhite started the potential rally. Oklahoma City pitcher Jaden Shores got a fly out and a strikeout to keep the GGC baserunners at first and second base with two outs. A walk to junior Brianna Fickes loaded the bases. However, Shores would retire junior Aubree Cox with a fly out to right field.

Key Plays

Top of First

Laci Joynes gave the Stars a 2-0 lead with a two-run single with two outs

 

Bottom of First

Sydney Willhite ripped an RBI double to left-center field to bring home Tori Robinson and cut the deficit to 2-1

 

Top of Second

Jaci Smith hit a run-scoring single to right-center field to give Oklahoma City a 3-1 advantage

 

Bottom of Fourth

Niki Cook drove home Aubree Cox with an infield single to once again cut the deficit to one run, 3-2

 

Top of Seventh

Brittany Perez cleared the bases with a triple to break the contest open, 6-2; the team added an insurance run in the inning

 

Inside The Numbers

• Oklahoma City held a 7-to-6 edge in hits for the contest
• There were a combined 12 walks in the game, with each team contributing six walks
• Sophomore Sydney Willhite had two hits and an RBI for the Grizzlies; she had two or more hits in two of the team's three games at the NAIA World Series
• GGC left nine baserunners in the game, including having the bases loaded twice

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College ends the 2018 season with a 53-6 record on the season; Oklahoma City improves to 53-8
• GGC made its first appearance in the NAIA World Series; Oklahoma City has won 10 NAIA national titles, including the last two championships
• Tuesday's meeting marked the first contest played between the two colleges
• GGC was the unanimous No. 1-ranked team in the final NAIA Top 25 poll of the regular season; Oklahoma City was ranked No. 2 in the final NAIA poll