The No. 10-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team opened the 2021 spring season with an impressive doubleheader sweep against No. 21 Reinhardt University (Georgia), winning by 10-0 and 3-2 scores, Wednesday afternoon at the Grizzly Soccer Complex. In the process, Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg and the softball program earned their 300th career victories.

Junior shortstop Piper Wagner opened the season with a two-run home run in the first inning of the opener. She led the Grizzlies' offensive attack for the day with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate, with four runs batted in and the home run.

Later, sophomore catcher Sydney Pelaez smashed a grand slam home run in a six-run fourth inning to break open the opening game for GGC (2-0).

Sophomore pitcher Alexa Good tossed a five-inning, one-hit shutout in the circle. The right hander struck out five opposing batters to pick up the victory.

In the second game, junior Holly Janco hit a two-out, two-run single through the right side of the infield in the second inning to give the hosts the eventual winning 3-2 margin. Wagner delivered a sacrifice fly during the first inning.

Freshman Gracie Hogg scattered five hits to register the pitching victory.

For the day, Georgia Gwinnett College collected 16 hits and scored runs in six of its 10 offensive innings.


  The Grizzlies set the positive tone for the doubleheader sweep early in the opening game. Sophomore Lea McFadden opened with a base hit and then advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Josie Haulk. Junior Piper Wagner followed with a two-run home run to give the hosts the early lead.
  "We have truly been practicing for this opening-day moment since fall practices started. Our defense played a clean game. That has been our focus in practice. When Lea opened the game with her hit and hustled to third base on a bunt, it just set the tone for us. She executed the type of play we've been practicing for months," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
  First Game
Bottom of First
Piper Wagner connected on a two-run home run to left field to give GGC a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Sydney Pelaez drove home Wagner with a run-scoring double
 
Bottom of Fourth
Pelaez hit a grand slam to cap a six-run frame
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Wagner hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Lea McFadden to open the scoring
 
Top of Second
Natalie Parlato hit a two-run home run to left field
 
Bottom of Second
Holly Janco connected on a two-out, two-run single to give the Grizzlies the 3-2 lead
 

• The Grizzlies collected 16 hits across the two games
• Sophomore Alexa Good registered five strikeouts in the opener
• Junior Piper Wagner was 4-for-5 with four RBI and a home run in the doubleheader
• GGC recorded five extra-base hits (three doubles and two home runs) in the sweep

• GGC opened the season 2-0; Reinhardt stands 4-2
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll; Reinhardt stood No. 21 in the same national poll
• GGC leads the all-time series 12-5-1
• Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg and the GGC program recorded its 300th win

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host LSU Alexandria and Reinhardt on Saturday, February 13 at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 10 a.m.