The No. 14-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team couldn't have written a better opening-day script for the 2023 season with Wednesday's strong doubleheader sweep against Ohio Christian University at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies outscored their opposition 12-0, recorded 26 strikeouts, allowed only one hit, and collected 20 hits in the two games. 

First, fifth-year senior Alexa Good got 10 strikeouts inside the pitching circle and allowed just one hit in an 8-0 shutout victory.

Then, sophomore transfer pitcher Annalise Wood did that one better in her GGC debut, tossing the program's second perfect game and setting a single-game 16 strikeout school record in a 4-0 triumph.

Both pitchers have been past NAIA All-Americans.

Wood, a 2022 second All-America team selection while playing at Bryan College (Tennessee), struck out 10 of the first 12 batters she faced, including eight straight batters during one stretch. In fact, the ball never left the infield dirt from the 21 batters the right-hander faced. Ohio Christian's Emma Hastings grounded out to first base on three bunts; Jobi Allen popped up to Wood inside the pitching circle in the sixth inning; and Hilarie Spitler popped up to second base to open the seventh inning.

Wood broke the GGC strikeout record (14) previously held by Taylor Hansis (2017) and Good (2021). Good also had the school's first perfect game pitching performance last season.

"My heart was definitely beating hard through my chest in the seventh inning. Nobody mentioned it, but I saw my dad in the stands and his hands covering his mouth with two outs. Of course, everybody knew it," said Wood.

Appropriately, she completed the perfect game by striking out Kylee Bako, who swung through the pitch for the third strike.

"Today brought a new jersey, new field, new team, and new me," said Wood.

Offensively, the hosts pushed across two runs in the first inning on just one base hit. Sophomore Angelica Gallegos hit an RBI single through the first base side of the infield to score sophomore Lindzie Owen for the second run of the frame.

Later, Owen hustled for an infield single and a fielding error on the play allowed sophomore Kayla Good to score from second base. Senior Lea McFadden followed with a run-scoring single that brought home Owen to give GGC a 4-0 lead through three innings.

That's all the offense needed for Wood's masterpiece.

The opener also featured a strong pitching performance as Good limited the Trailblazers to just one hit while GGC collected 12 hits, including a home run from senior Sydney Pelaez while Owen was a perfect 4-for-4, with two RBI in the season opener.

The team scored a run in each of the final four innings. Junior Josie Haulk had an infield RBI single that scored freshman Enna Lackey in the third inning and Owen's second hit of the game drove home Pelaez later in the frame.

"We got timely hits and were aggressive on the bases. I want our team to play aggressively, duplicating that pace of play that we've shown throughout preseason practice," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
Pelaez's two-run round tripper in the fourth inning extended GGC's lead to 5-0. She went 4-for-6 and scored a pair of runs across the doubleheader.

"Sydney is aware of her capabilities and understands the game so well. She had a good approach today and I'm grateful that they trust the game plan, then go out and execute it," stated Ihlenburg.

The hosts added two runs in the sixth inning behind a RBI ground out from Lackey and a run-scoring single by Owen to cap the team's 12-hit offensive performance. Owen had five hits and four stolen bases in the season-opening doubleheader.


  "It was a pretty remarkable day. They (pitchers) both worked really hard for this moment and were very focused on what they needed to do. Alexa (Good) is a veteran, has thrown a perfect game and set the standard for strikeouts in a game. Now, we have somebody who compliments her on the mound. We could become a very tough pitching staff to face," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
  The GGC softball program has registered perfect games within a six-game span at the Grizzly Softball Complex. Senior Alexa Good tossed the program's first perfect game in the championship game of the 2022 Continental Athletic Conference Softball Championship (May 7, 2022). Then, sophomore Annalise Wood struck out a school-record 16 batters in tossing a perfect game to complete Wednesday's season-opening doubleheader sweep.
  First Game
Bottom of Third
Lindzie Owen hit an RBI single to left field to score Sydney Pelaez to bring the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Sydney Pelaez connected on a two-run home run over the right field fence
 
Bottom of Fifth
Lea McFadden hit a run-scoring single that scored Lindsey Owen
 
Bottom of Sixth
Lindzie Owen added an RBI single to score GGC's eighth run of the contest
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Angelica Gallegos hit a run-scoring single through the right side to give GGC a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Lea McFadden hit an RBI single to score Lindzie Owen for the team's fourth and final run of the contest
 

• The Grizzlies tallied 20 hits during the doubleheader sweep, with 12 hits in the first game
• Sophomore Lindzie Owen went 5-for-6, with three runs scored, in the two games
• GGC pitchers combined for 26 strikeouts and allowed just one hit while facing 42 batters
• The Grizzlies successfully stole seven bases, led by four steals from Owen

• GGC opens the 2023 season with the doubleheader sweep; Ohio Christian drops to 0-2 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 14 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• In the nightcap, sophomore Annalise Wood set a single-game school record with 16 strikeouts in tossing GGC's second perfect game
• Wednesday's doubleheader marked the first ever meeting between the two colleges

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to a tournament at LSU Alexandria, facing the hosts and University of Houston-Victoria on Friday, February 10, with the first game starting at 1:30 p.m.