The No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team won five of its six games during a three-day Florida trip, splitting Sunday's doubleheader against Keiser University (Fla.) to conclude play in the RussMatt Tournament.

The Grizzlies (11-1) scored four runs in the second inning in winning the opener 10-2. The Seahawks (3-3) responded with a 3-2 victory in eight innings in the second game.

In that tournament finale, Keiser scored two unearned runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 3-1 lead. Then, GGC, the designated home team, battled back in the bottom half of the inning. First, sophomore Piper Wagner hit a double to bring home senior Tori Robinson, closing the deficit to 3-2. Then, the Grizzlies loaded the bases with one out, but couldn't push across the tying run.

GGC outhit Keiser by a 13-to-2 margin in the game. Senior Aubree Cox collected three of those base hits.

Wagner contributed with her right arm in the first game of the day, scattering five hits and striking out five batters in picking up her third victory of the season. Five players had two hits in the game, including two doubles by senior Crystal Busbee.
 
Coach's Corner
"We had a great weekend, filled with good learning experiences. We played some really good competition, and learned about ourselves and the direction we're going this season. We strung hits together in the first game. The offense didn't execute with runners on base in the second contest," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies were unable to take advantage of scoring situations in the second game. The team got within one run, at 3-2, after sophomore Piper Wagner led off the extra inning with a RBI double. Then, GGC loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. However, a strikeout and fly out ended the contest.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of Second
Crystal Busbee cleared the bases with a three-run double to give GGC a 4-0 lead
 
Top of Seventh
Aubree Cox drove in a pair of runs with a triple during a four-run inning
 
Second Game
Bottom of Fifth
Tori Robinson tied the game, 1-1, with a RBI double that brought home Sydney Willhite
 
Top of Eighth
A throwing error by GGC with two outs allowed two unearned runs to score, giving Keiser a 3-1 lead
 
Bottom of Eighth
Piper Wagner hit a RBI double to score Tori Robinson and cut the deficit to 3-2
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC registered 25 hits in the two games
• Senior Aubree Cox collected five hits, highlighted by a 3-for-4 performance in the second contest
• The Grizzlies had seven extra-base hits in Sunday's two games

News & Notes

• GGC stands 11-1 on the season; Keiser is 3-3 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies won five of the six games during this weekend's RussMatt Tournament
• Sunday marked the first games played between the two programs

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host a doubleheader against No. 17-ranked William Carey University (Miss.) on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex.