Freed-Hardeman University (Tennessee) catcher Sophie Dunavant drove in a pair of runs in the middle innings as the No. 15 Lions defeated No. 11-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College 2-0 in a matchup of nationally ranked NAIA softball teams Sunday in the final day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.

Freed-Hardeman (11-0) struck first in the bottom of the third inning when Dunavant hit a run-scoring single to shortstop that brought home leadoff hitter Kennedy Harris.

That combination later produced a key insurance run when Harris opened the fifth inning with a single. She proceeded to successfully steal second base to get into scoring position before advancing to third base on a ground ball. Dunavant then hit a ground ball in which GGC's defense tried to throw out Harris at the plate. However, the speedy runner beat the tag for the decisive 2-0 advantage.

Meanwhile, Freed-Hardeman pitcher Chloe Winters kept the Grizzlies (9-8) off the scoreboard and registered three of her six strikeouts over the final two innings to improve to 4-0 inside the pitching circle.

Georgia Gwinnett College freshman Kailyn Berry allowed one earned run and scattered six hits in the complete-game pitching performance.

Senior Piper Wagner led the Grizzlies by going 2-for-3 at the plate, with singles in the first and third innings. Junior Lea McFadden opened the second inning with a double as part of a 1-for-2 performance. Sophomore Kloey Goins collected two hits off Winters.

The Grizzlies went 3-2 at this year's NFCA Leadoff Classic.
 
Freed-Hardeman added an insurance run in the fifth inning to grab a 2-0 lead. Kennedy Harris led off the bottom half of the frame with a single to center field. She moved into scoring position by stealing second base and a ground out advanced the team's leadoff hitter to third base. Sophie Dunavant's fielder's choice scored the second run when the Grizzly defense was unable to get Harris out at home.
 
Bottom of Third
Sophie Dunavant opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single to shortstop
 
Bottom of Fifth
Sophie Dunavant hit a fielder's choice that allowed Kennedy Harris to score for the Lions' 2-0 lead
 

• Both teams registered six hits in the contest
• Senior Piper Wagner and sophomore Kloey Goins each collected two hits for the Grizzlies
• Junior Lea McFadden recorded the lone extra-base hit of the game for either team, collecting a double in the second inning

• GGC drops to 9-8 this spring; Freed-Hardeman improves to 11-0 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 11 in the 2022 NAIA Top 25 preseason poll; Freed-Hardeman stood No. 15 in the same poll
• GGC went 3-2 in this year's NFCA Leadoff Classic
• Sunday's victory tied the series history between the two teams at two wins apiece

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Bryan College (Tennessee) in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 2, from the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 3 p.m.