Senior Elyssa Melton connected on a two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to open the way for the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to earn a doubleheader sweep against Thomas University (Ga.) on Tuesday evening at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Melton's round tripper came in the first game as the host won 5-3. Then, the team used 12 hits to score runs in five separate innings to capture the nightcap 9-4.

The victories extend the Grizzlies' winning streak to eight games, improving the team's record to 23-5 for the season. The wins also came on the same day that the team advanced to No. 4 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll, from No. 5 in the preseason ranking. Both polls were decided by a nationwide panel of coaches and other officials.

In Tuesday's doubleheader, freshman Sydney Pelaez gave the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead in the opener with a two-run double in the fourth inning. The lead would hold up until the top of the seventh inning as the visiting Night Hawks (7-11) tied the game following a wild pitch. Thomas stranded 10 baserunners in the game and had the bases loaded with no outs in the seventh, but only managed to score the tying run.

Junior Sydney Willhite had a two-out base hit to start GGC's seventh-inning rally. Then, Melton hit the dramatic home run deep over the left field fence for the game winner.

A home run by Willhite contributed to three runs in the first inning of the second game as the hosts grabbed an early advantage. That blast was the 18th in her career – a new program record.

Georgia Gwinnett College added a run in the second inning before pushing across two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to build a 9-3 lead.

Melton registered a pair of hits in both games. Junior RaeQuinn Rossetti went 4-for-6 at the top of GGC's lineup. The team recorded 20 hits in the doubleheader sweep.

Both pitching wins went to relievers as freshman Alexa Good recorded three outs in the seventh inning of the opener. Then, sophomore Piper Wagner came in relief to strike out five batters in 6.1 innings to improve to 7-0 on the season.
 
Coach's Corner
"You are excited to have one of your top hitters up with two outs in the seventh inning. She was seeing the ball really well. Right off the bat, I knew we were going to score. When (Melton's hit) cleared the fence, it was thrilling. Thomas is a team that always competes against us well. They understand the game by moving runners and putting balls in play. If you're not sharp, they're going to take advantage. It was nice to have a walk-off win at home," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 


Turning Point
After Thomas tied the first game, 3-3, in the top of the seventh inning, GGC struck back with two swings of the bat. Junior Sydney Willhite started things with a two-out base hit. Then, senior Elyssa Melton hit the dramatic home run deep over the left field fence for the game winner.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of First
Elyssa Melton hit a sacrifice fly to score RaeQuinn Rossetti for the first run of the game
 
Bottom of Fourth
Sydney Pelaez gave the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead with a two-run double
 
Top of Seventh
Thomas' Gaby Mora scored on a wild pitch to tie the game, 3-3
Izzy Ekstam lined into a double play to end the threat
 
Bottom of Seventh
Elyssa Melton connected on a walk-off home run that also scored pinch runner Taylor Takushi
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Sydney Willhite hit a two-run home run to square the contest, 2-2
Tori Robinson gave the home team the lead with a run-scoring double
 
Bottom of Second
Holly Janco hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Sydney Pelaez
 
Bottom of Fourth
Aubree Cox brought home Ashlyn Brewster with a run-scoring double
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies recorded 20 hits in the sweep
• GGC collected five stolen bases between the two games
• Five different GGC players tallied two hits during both games
• Both wins were recorded by relief pitchers

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 23-5 on the season; Thomas drops to 7-11
• Georgia Gwinnett College jumped to No. 4 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll released Tuesday evening
• The team is 13-1 at the Grizzly Softball Complex in 2019
• Thomas still leads the all-time series by an 8-to-7 edge
• GGC has won eight straight games and 11 of the last 12 games

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 8 Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 15, at 4 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex.