Senior Tori Robinson accounted for seven runs on six hits as the No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team picked up a pair of Saturday victories to conclude unbeaten action in the Grizzly Open at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies (6-0) defeated the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) 13-5 in six innings, before earning a 10-2 triumph against Bluefield College (Va.) in another six-inning game.

Three of GGC's four wins in the Grizzly Open came through the eight-run advantage rule.

Robinson, the team's leadoff hitter, hit for the cycle on the afternoon. She went 3-for-4, scored three runs and drove home four RBI against Rio Grande. Then, three more hits followed, along with bringing in three more runs, in the second game of the day. She went 6-for-8 across the two games and now leads the team with a .550 batting average for the season.

The senior shortstop quick-started the Grizzlies' offense by accounting for a triple to start the game against Rio Grande. She later scored the first of three runs in the frame to match the Ohio visitor's early lead – the first time GGC has trailed in a game this season. The hosts had a five-run second inning to take the lead for good against the Red Storm (2-2).

Georgia Gwinnett College added four more runs in the fifth inning to grab a commanding 12-5 advantage.

Robinson capped the strong offensive day by connecting on a two-run home run in the fifth inning against Bluefield.

The Grizzlies collected 28 hits across 12 innings of action Saturday.

Senior pitcher Taylor Hansis tossed three scoreless innings in relief to pick up her second straight victory against Rio Grande. The right hander has won three games in the first week of the season. Freshman Alexa Good had five strikeouts across six innings to pick up her first collegiate victory in the second game.


 
Coach's Corner
"We're beginning to show some resilience. We gave up some runs, but our hitting is consistent and is carrying us in these early-season games. We had contributions this weekend from several different players and positions. My job is to provide opportunities to all of the fine players in our program. If I can do that, we're going to be good as we go forward this season," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies had an answer when the Red Storm opened the game by scoring three runs – the first time this season that GGC has trailed in a game. The hosts responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Rio Grande regained the lead, 5-3, in the top of the second inning. However, the Grizzlies bounced back again behind a five-run second inning. A base hit from senior Elyssa Melton scored the game-tying run in the frame, while a defensive throwing error allowed for a second run to score on the play, giving GGC a 6-5 advantage. The team would never trail the rest of the way in the contest.
 
Key Plays
Rio Grande Game
Top of First
Kelsey Conkey doubled to left-center field to give the Red Storm an early lead
Morgan Santos hit a RBI single for the second run of the inning
A throwing error allowed a third run to score for the Red Storm
 
Bottom of First
Sydney Willhite hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Tori Robinson
Piper Wagner cut the deficit to 3-2 with a RBI double to left field
Sydney Pelaez tied the game, 3-3, with a run-scoring single
 
Top of Second
Mary Pica connected on a two-run double to give Rio Grande a 5-3 lead
 
Bottom of Second
A throwing error on a stolen base attempt allowed Holly Janco to score
GGC took a 6-5 lead when Elyssa Melton hit a RBI single to center field; a throwing error allowed RaeQuinn Rossetti to score
 
Bottom of Fifth
Tori Robinson cleared the bases with a three-run double during a four-run frame
 
Bluefield Game
Bottom of Second
Holly Janco connected on a sacrifice fly to score the first of five runs in the inning
RaeQuinn Rossetti hit a two-run single to left field to give GGC a 4-0 advantage
 
Bottom of Fifth
Tori Robinson lined a two-run home run to left field
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC combined for 23 runs on 28 hits in the two wins
• Senior Tori Robinson went 6-for-8, with seven RBI and five runs scored in Saturday's games
• The Grizzlies collected eight extra-base hits in the two games

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 6-0 on the season; Rio Grande stands 2-2 in 2019; and Bluefield is 0-4 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Rio Grande was receiving votes in the same poll
• The Grizzlies lead the all-time series with both programs: Rio Grande 5-1 and Bluefield 4-0
• GGC has outscored the opposition 67-12 through its first six games

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College competes in the RussMatt Tournament in Auburndale, Fla., from Feb. 15-17.