Sophomore Annalise Wood struck out 15 batters as the No. 14-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team split two challenging games in the Grizzly Classic at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

First, the Grizzlies (6-1) defeated No. 20 Campbellsville University (Kentucky) 4-0 before losing to NCAA Division II Georgia Southwestern University 9-5.

GGC pushed three runs across in the bottom of the fifth inning to defeat the Tigers (3-2) for the second consecutive day. Sophomore Emerson Hall hit a line drive single to right field that scored sophomore Angelica Gallegos to break open a scoreless duel. A few batters later, junior Josie Haulk hit a fielder's choice that allowed Hall to score. Meanwhile, junior Kendall Parks scored from second base following a throwing error on Haulk's ground ball.

Sophomore Jane Hoover hit an RBI double to bring home junior Kloey Goins with an insurance run in the sixth inning, giving the hosts a decisive 4-0 advantage.

That's all Wood would need in the pitching circle. The right hander tossed 15 strikeouts, one shy of the single-game school record she set against Ohio Christian University on February 8, 2023. Wood set down nine straight Tigers by strikeout from the second through fourth innings.

Senior Sydney Pelaez collected three of GGC's nine hits in the contest.

In the nightcap, Georgia Southwestern (7-2) scored eight runs in the top of the fourth inning to overcome an early 3-0 GGC lead.

The Hurricanes' Kimmy Singer tied the contest, 3-3, following an RBI single through the right side of the infield. Jaelyn Flynn gave the visitors a 4-3 lead with a run-scoring single and Zoe Willis added an infield single to bring home the team's sixth run of the frame. Hailey Pinette capped the big inning with an RBI fielder's choice to give the team a 9-3 lead.

The Grizzlies attempted a comeback as Goins drove in a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to close the gap to 9-5.

Earlier, sophomore Lindzie Owen and senior Lea McFadden collected back-to-back RBI singles, both with two outs, to give the team a 2-0 first-inning lead. Pelaez connected on a sacrifice fly one inning later to stretch the team's lead to three runs.


 
"I was pleased with how we battled and competed against a very good Campbellsville team. I wish we were a little more buttoned up in that one inning (fourth frame) against Georgia Southwestern. That game was much more competitive than that inning or the final score would indicate. However, it's February and it's the time to learn from these things," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
The Grizzlies sought a big base hit that could break open a scoreless deadlock against No. 20 Campbellsville. That came when sophomore Emerson Hall delivered a line-drive single to right field that scored classmate Angelica Gallegos in the fifth inning. A fielder's choice coupled with a throwing error on the same play allowed two additional runs to score in the frame.
 
Campbellsville Game
Bottom of Fifth
Emerson Hall lined a run-scoring single to right field to open the scoring
Josie Haulk added an RBI fielder's choice and a throwing error on the play allowed two runs to score
 
Bottom of Sixth
Jane Hoover hit an RBI double to right-center field to score Kloey Goins for the team's fourth run of the game
 
Georgia Southwestern Game
Bottom of First
Lindzie Owen lined a single to center field to score Sydney Pelaez
Lea McFadden followed with a run-scoring single to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of Second
Sydney Pelaez hit a sacrifice fly to score Jane Hoover
 
Top of Fourth
Kimmy Singer tied the game, 3-3, with an RBI single through the right side of the infield
Jaelyn Flynn gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 lead with a run-scoring single
Zoe Willis added an infield single to bring home the team's sixth run of the inning
Hailey Pinette capped the Hurricanes' eight-run frame with an RBI fielder's choice
 
Bottom of Fourth
Kloey Goins drove in a pair of runs with a single to center field that trimmed the deficit to 9-5
 

• The Grizzlies collected 15 hits across Saturday's two games, highlighted by nine hits in the opener against Campbellsville
• Sophomore pitcher Annalise Wood struck out 21 batters in her 11 innings in the circle during both games
• Senior Sydney Pelaez went 3-for-3 in the victory against Campbellsville
• GGC successfully stole seven bases across the two games

• GGC stands 6-1 this spring; Campbellsville is 3-2 in 2022; Georgia Southwestern is 7-2 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 14 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Campbellsville stood No. 20 in the same poll
• Saturday's game marked the Grizzlies' first meeting with NCAA Division II Georgia Southwestern

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 18 College of Coastal Georgia in a doubleheader on Sunday, February 19, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at noon.