Sophomore Piper Wagner tossed a shutout and hit a home run as the No. 9-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team split a home doubleheader against No. 6 University of Mobile (Ala.) Friday evening at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Wagner struck out three hitters and scattered nine hits in a seven-inning pitching performance that came during the Grizzlies' 2-0 victory in the second contest. The Rams earned a 6-0 victory in the opener.

GGC finished the regular season with a 36-14 record.

Wagner helped her own pitching cause by leading off the fourth inning of the second game with a solo home run. Junior Anya Vandersip had given the hosts a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

In the opener, Mobile (43-10) scored three runs in the first inning and outhit the Grizzlies by a 7-to-2 margin.


 
Coach's Corner
"I'm proud that the team bounced back and took the second game against a very good team. We have played the most challenging schedule in program history. So, to end the season with a win against an Opening Round-caliber team is encouraging," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies took a 2-0 lead in the second contest when sophomore Piper Wagner led off the fourth inning with a solo home run that landed well beyond the left field fence. She entered the batter's box after tossing a scoreless fourth frame.
           
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Mobile's Maddie Burchell stole home on a double-steal attempt
Allison Vincent hit a RBI single to increase the visitor's lead
Taylor LeDrew drew a bases-loaded walk to cap a three-run first inning
 
Second Game
Bottom of Third
Anya Vandersip connected on a sacrifice fly to bring home RaeQuinn Rossetti for a 1-0 lead – the first advantage for GGC in the doubleheader
 
Bottom of Fourth
Piper Wagner hit a solo home run to increase the lead to 2-0
 
Inside The Numbers

• Sophomore RaeQuinn Rossetti collected two of GGC's six hits across the doubleheader
• Sophomore Piper Wagner connected on her fourth home run of the season
• GGC hitters drew four walks in the two games
• Wagner won her 10th game of the season to improve to 10-2 in the circle

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 36-14 on the season; Mobile stands 43-10 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett College is ranked No. 9 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Mobile was ranked No. 6 in the same poll
• GGC and Mobile have been selected as host institutions for Opening Round action in the upcoming NAIA postseason tournament
• The Grizzlies went 19-5 at home during the regular season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College hosts the 2019 Association of Independent Institutions Softball Championship from May 2-4 at the Grizzly Softball Complex.