The nationally ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team scored 32 runs across its three-game series sweep of Grace College (Indiana) after earning 16-0 and 2-1 victories Wednesday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies (16-10) were leading 8-0 in the top of the third inning after rain suspended Tuesday's action. When play resumed Wednesday, the hosts added three runs in the bottom half of the third inning before tallying five runs one inning later.

GGC took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double from junior Lea McFadden.

Two wild pitches opened the gates for the seven-run second inning – on only four hits. McFadden's single to right field scored freshman Kayla Good and Pelaez to give the Grizzlies a 6-0 lead. Gallegos brought home a pair of runs with a double to right field.

Junior Alexa Good struck out the side in the first inning and added two more strikeouts in the second inning. The right hander carried a perfect game with two outs in the fifth inning before Grace (3-6) got a base hit to left field for its only base runner of the game. Good recorded 11 strikeouts in the dominant pitching performance.

In Wednesday's second game, GGC used a two-run fourth inning to secure the victory. Trailing 1-0, the Grizzlies took advantage of a Grace throwing error to tie the game. The defensive mistake following a sacrifice bunt from freshman Angelica Gallegos allowed freshman pinch runner Lindzie Owen to score from first base. Then, sophomore Josie Haulk added a sacrifice fly to bring home Gallegos for the 2-1 edge.

Freshman relief pitcher Mollie Peacock struck out two batters across 3.1 hitless innings to pick up the victory. After a one-out walk in the sixth inning Good entered the contest and secured the victory. She recorded the final five outs for her first save of the 2022 season.

Senior Piper Wagner led the Grizzlies by going 2-for-3 and reaching base all three times in Wednesday's second game. She also collected two hits earlier in the day's suspended-play game.


 
"The team showed a lot of good things in this midweek series. We hit the ball really well and our pitchers threw really well. We were able to show that we have a dynamic pitching staff. I was proud of how Piper (Wagner) and Alexa (Good) stepped up. You want your seniors and veterans to do their best in these moments. They did just that," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
A two-run fourth inning gave the Grizzlies the lead for good in the second contest. The frame opened with junior Brooke Parker being hit by a pitch. Angelica Gallegos followed by laying down a successful sacrifice bunt to move freshman pinch runner Lindzie Owen into scoring position. A throwing error on the bunt play allowed Owen to score and tie the game. Later, sophomore Josie Haulk hit a sacrifice fly to score Gallegos for the game-winning run.
 
First Game
Bottom of First
Lea McFadden hit an RBI double down the left field line to score Kayla Good
 
Bottom of Second
Wild pitches allowed Angelica Gallegos and Logan Oller to score
Kayla Good hit a fielder's choice to bring home Jane Hoover
Lea McFadden gave the Grizzlies a 6-0 lead with a two-run single
Angelica Gallegos hit a two-run double to score a pair of unearned runs
 
Bottom of Third
Brooke Parker hit a two-run single to cap GGC's three-run third inning
 
Bottom of Fourth
Christina Zeppa lined an RBI double to right field to give the Grizzlies a 16-0 lead
 
Second Game
Top of Second
Montana Brincks opened the scoring with a run-scoring double for Grace
 
Bottom of Fourth
Angelica Gallegos successfully laid down a sacrifice bunt, with a throwing error on the play allowing Lindzie Owen to score from first base to tie the game
Josie Haulk gave the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead with a sacrifice fly
 

• The Grizzlies registered 19 hits across Wednesday's two games
• Senior Piper Wagner went 4-for-7 with a pair of multiple-hit performances on Wednesday
• GGC successfully stole six bases for the two games, with four steals coming in the second game of the three-game midweek series
• Junior pitcher Alexa Good recorded 11 strikeouts in Wednesday's opening game

• GGC improves to 16-10 on the season; Grace falls to 3-6 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 14 in the first 2022 NAIA Top 25 poll of the regular season
• GGC began an 11-game home stand

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the Grizzly Classic with games on Friday, March 11, from the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 3 p.m.