The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team lost a pair of hard-fought close decisions among Tuesday's three games in the NAIA Opening Round's Lawrenceville Bracket at the Grizzly Softball Complex. Those losses brought an end to the 2021 season.

The top-seeded Grizzlies fell 4-2 to No. 3 seed Milligan University (Tennessee) before being eliminated from tournament play with a 6-5 setback to No. 2 seed University of Rio Grande (Ohio).

GGC scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in the Rio Grande contest and had the potential game-tying run at first base. However, Rio Grande center fielder Morgan Santos made a diving catch off a line drive from junior Camryn Currie to end the game.

All of GGC's runs in the seventh were scored with two outs. Freshman Kloey Goins started the rally with a solo home run. Junior Holly Janco added a two-run single to cut the deficit to 6-5.

Rio Grande (47-15) took a 6-2 lead by scoring five runs with two outs in the sixth inning. Zoe Doll broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run double before Lexi Carnahan followed with another two-run double.

In the Milligan game, Cloee-Anna Merritt delivered a two-out, two-run single in the sixth inning to give the Buffaloes the 4-2 advantage. Merritt lined a first pitch single to center field with the bases loaded.

Merritt also went the distance in the pitching circle, striking out five batters and scattering six hits to record the second-day victory in the double-elimination tournament.

The visitors grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Lindsey Slagle drew a bases-loaded walk before a wild pitch later in the frame gave the team the early two-run advantage.

GGC chipped away with an RBI groundout from Brooke Parker in the bottom of the second inning. Then, Goins tied the game, 2-2, in the third inning with her first collegiate home run.

The score remained that way until Milligan took advantage of the based-loaded situation in the top of sixth inning.
 
With the season on the line, the Grizzlies made a furious comeback bid with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning against Rio Grande. Freshman Kloey Goins started the rally with a solo home run before junior Holly Janco added a two-run single up the middle. Then, GGC had the potential game-tying run at first base as junior Camryn Currie connected on a line drive to center field. However, Rio Grande center fielder Morgan Santos made a diving catch to end the threat and contest.
 
Milligan Game
Bottom of Second
Brooke Parker cut the deficit to 2-1 with an RBI groundout
 
Bottom of Third
Kloey Goins hit a solo home run to left field to tie the game
 
Top of Sixth
Cloee-Anna Merritt gave the Buffaloes a 4-2 lead with a two-out, two-run single
 
Rio Grande Game
Bottom of Fifth
Sydney Pelaez gave GGC a 2-1 lead with a two-run single
 
Top of Sixth
Kayla Slutz tied the game, 2-2, with a run-scoring single
Zoe Doll connected on a two-run double down the left field line to give the Red Storm a 4-2 lead
Lexi Carnahan followed with a two-run double
 
Bottom of Seventh
Kloey Goins connected on a solo home run with two outs to trim the deficit to 6-3
Holly Janco brought home a pair of runs with a single
 

• The Grizzlies tallied 16 hits across the two games, highlighted by 10 hits against Rio Grande
• Sophomore Sydney Pelaez legged out three doubles on the day
• Freshman Kloey Goins connected on a solo home run in both games Tuesday

• GGC ends the 2021 season with a 33-13 record; Milligan improves to 31-7 on the season; Rio Grande stands 47-15 in 2021
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 8 in the final regular-season NAIA Top 25 poll; Milligan and Rio Grande were receiving votes in the same poll
• GGC was the No. 1 seed in the Lawrenceville Bracket of the 2021 NAIA Opening Round; Milligan stood as the No. 3 seed and Rio Grande was the No. 2 seed in the double-elimination tournament