Curtain Call

The opportunities to see Georgia Gwinnett College senior Piper Wagner shine at the plate and in the field at the Grizzly Softball Complex can be aligned with the shortstop position number that has made her an All-American player.

Six games.

The fifth-year shortstop will be the Grizzlies’ lone honoree during the program’s Senior Day festivities on Friday, March 18, starting at 3 p.m. Afterward, Wagner will lead her teammates in playing a doubleheader against the University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky).

Then, Wagner smiled and stated, “I jokingly said that I’m going to come back in August, just like I’ve done for the past five years.”

Wagner’s impact on the GGC program has been instrumental wherever necessary since arriving in Lawrenceville in 2018 – helping teams be consistently ranked among the NAIA’s best and advancing to the association’s World Series for the first time in history.

And earning All-American honors twice in the process. She earned first-team accolades from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association following the 2021 season.

As a freshman, the Marietta, Georgia, native had a 19-1 record inside the pitching circle. A highlight was scattering eight hits in a complete-game performance as GGC defeated Oregon Tech 4-1 in the deciding game of NAIA’s Opening Round.

“I had to step out of the dugout in the last two or three innings because my heart was racing as we were approaching going to the World Series for the first time. We knew how important that was for us,” recalled Wagner.

Another fond memory came in left field: Throwing out the potential-tying run at home plate to defeat Marian University (Indiana) in the 2019 World Series. That 1-0 victory helped the Grizzlies reach the tournament’s semifinal round.

However, Wagner’s true passion is hitting, and she has been a fixture in the middle of the batting lineup for Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg since 2019.

This season Wagner is putting together another All-American campaign by leading GGC in 10 offensive categories: a .473 batting average, seven home runs, 28 RBI, 12 doubles, 44 hits, 31 runs, 18 walks, seven stolen bases, .849 slugging percentage, and a .549 on-base percentage. 

Those eye-popping statistics have Wagner threatening to set career program records or rank among the top five in multiple offensive categories. Through 32 games this season she ranks among the all-time best GGC players in the following areas:

* Doubles, 53 (first)

* Home Runs, 19 (second best)

* Walks, 70 (second)

* Total Bases, 286 (third) 

* Batting Average, .389 (fourth)

* Slugging Percentage, .647 (fourth)

* Hits, 172 (fourth)

The super senior has also scored 111 runs while driving in an additional 106 runs within her 177 career games.

“It wasn’t until college that I played shortstop,” admits Wagner. “Now, I love defense. I appreciate watching professional baseball shortstops making all of the spectacular plays on the field. I try to do some of those same flashy leather plays.”

Even though she no longer pitches, Wagner still ranks among the program’s top five players in the following career pitching categories: 

* Winning Percentage, .814, 35-8 (third) 

* Wins, 35 (fourth)

* Complete Games, 30 (fourth) 

* Starts, 41 (fourth)

* Innings Pitched, 288 (fourth)

* 56 Appearances (fifth)

* Earned Run Average, 1.90 (fifth)

Ihlenburg agrees, stating, “Piper is a high-performing athlete who wants to be involved in every play and every game. She’s a player you can trust because she’s so focused on the game and the situation at hand in the game. Every pitch matters to her and that feeling rubs off on her teammates. If it matters to Piper, it matters to them too.”

GGC teammate Lea McFadden also appreciates Wagner’s determination and playing skills. They have been playing together since they were 10 years old and went to rival high schools in Marietta. 

“It’s bittersweet that this is our last season playing together. I don’t think it will hit me until we’re done playing,” said McFadden, a junior who recently has been moved to provide some protection for Wagner’s cleanup spot in the team’s batting order.

“I used to be standing on base waiting and admiring when Piper would hit the ball over the fence. Now I’m in the on-deck circle and wondering ‘How do I follow that hit?” said McFadden with a smile. “Anyway, I’m happy with the result.”

The No. 14-ranked Grizzlies have won eight of their last nine games and are gearing towards another postseason run. They will host the inaugural Continental Athletic Conference championship tournament May 5-7.