The No. 3-seeded Saint Xavier University (Illinois) softball team scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to defeat No. 2 seed Georgia Gwinnett College 4-2 Monday afternoon in the NAIA Opening Round Lawrenceville Bracket at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies (35-19) rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to tie the contest at 2-2 in the fifth inning.

Sophomore Logan Oller got the tournament hosts on the scoreboard with an RBI double to left field in the fourth inning to bring home sophomore Lani Trent. One inning later, junior Sydney Pelaez connected on a solo home run to right field to tie the game at 2-2.

However, two GGC defensive errors with one out in the top of the sixth inning allowed the Cougars (37-6) to regain the lead for good. A throwing error brought in the go-ahead run before a fielding mistake following a stolen base allowed Morgan Haefling to score an important insurance run.

Georgia Gwinnett College threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning by bringing the tying run to the plate. Senior Piper Wagner lined a ball that was caught on the warning track in center field for the final out of the game.

Saint Xavier pitcher Julianne Claas scattered six hits and struck out three batters to improve her record inside the circle to 16-2 for the season.

Three of GGC's six hits were doubles. Meanwhile, junior pitcher Alexa Good struck out nine batters in the complete-game performance for the hosts.

 

SOFTBALL HIGHLIGHTS! @SXUAthletics scores two runs in the sixth inning to defeat GGC in the first game of the Lawrenceville Bracket.#GGCAthletics | #NAIASoftball pic.twitter.com/HSt109zZBV

— GGC Athletics (@GGCAthletics) May 16, 2022

  The Grizzlies committed a pair of errors in the top of the sixth inning to allow Saint Xavier to score the go-ahead run and an insurance tally. A throwing mistake allowed the Cougars to grab a 3-2 lead. Then, a fielding error on a stolen-base attempt allowed another run to score. The two-run sixth inning came just after GGC had tied the game in the fifth inning following a solo home run by junior Sydney Pelaez.
  Top of First
A wild pitch allowed Lyda Robinson to score the game's first run
 
Top of Third
Brittany Schultz hit an RBI double to score Lyda Robinson and give the Cougars a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Logan Oller hit an RBI double to left field to get the Grizzlies on the scoreboard
 
Bottom of Fifth
GGC's Sydney Pelaez connected on a solo home run to right field to tie the contest at 2-2
 
Top of Sixth
A throwing error by the Grizzlies allowed Julia Czart to score from second base and give Saint Xavier a 3-2 lead
Morgan Haefling then stole third base and later scored following a fielding error on the same play
 

• Saint Xavier outhit the Grizzlies by a 7-6 margin
• Junior Sydney Pelaez connected on her sixth home run of the season
• GGC hit three doubles during Monday's contest

• GGC drops to 35-19 on the season; Saint Xavier improves to 37-6 in 2022
• The Grizzlies were the No. 2 seed in the Lawrenceville Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round; Saint Xavier stood as the No. 3 seed
• GGC is hosting the NAIA Opening Round for the sixth consecutive postseason

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 4 seed University of Michigan-Dearborn in an elimination game on Tuesday, May 17, from the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 2:30 p.m.