The No. 15-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team used a seven-run third inning to split a doubleheader Thursday evening at Truett-McConnell University, losing the opener 6-0 before responding with a 14-5 in six innings in the second game in Cleveland, Georgia.

The doubleheader split gave GGC (30-16) its eighth season in program history with at least 30 victories.

Trailing 1-0 in the second contest, junior Sydney Pelaez tied the contest with a run-scoring double to jumpstart the big offensive inning. Junior Lea McFadden collected an RBI-scoring single to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage. Sophomore Kloey Goins added a sacrifice fly before freshman Jane Hoover hit an infield single to bring home the seventh run of the frame.

Pelaez smashed a grand slam in the fifth inning to drive in her fifth run of the game and give GGC a commanding 12-4 lead. Sophomore Lani Trent led off the sixth inning with a home run.

The Grizzlies tallied nine hits and received seven walks in the victory. Truett-McConnell (28-23) also committed four defensive errors, including three during GGC's decisive seven-run third inning.

Pelaez went 2-for-4 and had five runs batted in to lead the team's nine-hit offensive attack. McFadden and Hoover also had two hits for the visitors.

In the opener, the Bears scored three runs in the first inning and added two more runs one inning later to hold a 5-0 lead that paved the way for the victory.
  The Grizzlies used a seven-run third inning to win the second game and split Thursday's doubleheader. Sophomore Sydney Pelaez opened the big frame with an RBI double to tie the contest. Truett-McConnell made three defensive errors in the inning. Junior Lea McFadden hit a run-scoring single for the third run of the inning. Sophomore Kloey Goins hit a sacrifice fly before freshman Jane Hoover capped the inning with an infield single.
  First Game
Bottom of First
Rachel Morgan hit a two-run single to give the Bears a 3-0 advantage
 
Bottom of Second
Lexi Simonton added a run-scoring single
Briley Lawson hit an RBI double
 
Second Game
Top of Third
Sydney Pelaez tied the game, 1-1, with an RBI double to right field
Lea McFadden added a run-scoring single to bring home Kayla Good
Kloey Goins hit a sacrifice fly
Jane Hoover hit an RBI single to cap the team's seven-run inning
 
Top of Fourth
Piper Wagner gave the Grizzlies an 8-1 lead with a run-producing double
 
Top of Fifth
Sydney Pelaez connected on a grand slam home run
 

• The Grizzlies tallied nine hits in the second game
• Junior Sydney Pelaez went 3-for-6 and drove in five runs in the doubleheader
• GGC hitters drew nine walks across the doubleheader, highlighted by seven walks in the second game

• GGC stands 30-16 on the season; Truett-McConnell is 28-23 in 2022
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 15 in the latest 2022 NAIA Top 25 poll
• GGC leads the series by a 19-9 margin and won three of the four games between the teams this season
• GGC has won 30 games for the eighth time in program history

Georgia Gwinnett College's road trip is scheduled to continue with a doubleheader at No. 15 Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) on Saturday, April 23, from Columbia, Kentucky, starting at 2 p.m.