Clutch hitting paved the way for the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team in splitting Sunday's doubleheader against the College of Coastal Georgia at the Grizzly Softball Complex. A loss in the second contest broke the team's nine-game winning streak to start the spring season.

The Grizzlies (9-1) got a two-out, two-run double from freshman Lani Trent in the fifth inning to win the opener 8-6. Then, the team scored five runs over its final two at bats but suffered a 10-6 loss in the nightcap.

GGC jumped out to a 5-0 first-inning lead in the opener, behind a three-run home run from junior shortstop Piper Wagner. An RBI single by freshman left fielder Jenna Gabrielli along with a fielding error allowed two more runs to score in the opening inning.

Coastal Georgia (5-1) battled back in the fourth inning by scoring six times and grabbing a 6-5 lead. Mary Waldron led off the frame with the first of her two home runs on the day. A GGC fielding error allowed the third run to score. Waldron's second hit of the inning tied the contest, 5-5, before a wild pitch allowed the Mariners to take their first lead of the game.

That advantage would be short lived as Wagner connected on a RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game at 6-6. One inning later, Trent delivered her clutch extra-base hit to give the hosts the decisive 8-6 advantage.

Trent tossed 3.2 scoreless innings in relief and picked up the victory in the circle. It was her first triumph of the season.

In the second game, Kayla Rowell hit a grand slam in the third inning as Coastal Georgia took an early 5-1 lead. Three unearned runs an inning later allowed the visitors to push their edge to 8-1.

The Grizzlies made things exciting by scoring two runs in the sixth inning and three more runs in the seventh frame. The team had the potential game-tying run on deck with one out in the seventh inning.


 
Turning Point
In a back-and-forth first contest, the Grizzlies struck last with freshman pinch hitter Lani Trent delivering a clutch two-run double to center field. The extra-base hit gave GGC an 8-6 lead in the fifth inning. Trent would also step inside the circle and get the pitching victory by tossing 3.2 scoreless innings in relief.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of First
Piper Wagner hit a three-run home run to open the scoring
Jenna Gabrielli added a RBI single and a second run came around to score due to a fielding error
 
Top of Fourth
Mary Waldron hit a run-scoring single to tie the game, 5-5
Samantha Hiley scored on a wild pitch to give the Mariners a 6-5 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Camryn Currie tied the game, 6-6, with a RBI double
 
Bottom of Fifth
Lani Trent gave the Grizzlies an 8-6 lead with a two-run double to center field
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Sydney Pelaez hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Kloey Goins and tie the game, 1-1
 
Top of Third
Kayla Rowell connected on a grand slam to give Coastal Georgia a 5-1 lead
 
Bottom of Sixth
Piper Wagner hit a RBI double to score Lea McFadden for the first of two runs in the inning
 
Bottom of Seventh
Kloey Goins added an infield single to score Kendall Parks
Sydney Pelaez hit a sacrifice fly
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies collected 22 hits across the doubleheader, highlighted by 12 hits in the first game
• Junior Piper Wagner went 4-for-4 with three RBI in the first game
• GGC legged out seven doubles in Sunday's games

News & Notes

• GGC stands 9-1 this spring; Coastal Georgia is 5-1 on the season
• The Grizzlies now lead the all-time series with the Mariners by an 8-3 margin
• The team has played all 10 games of its games at the Grizzly Softball Complex in 2021
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Montreat College (North Carolina) on Thursday, March 4, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, with a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.