Every pitch, hit and defensive mistake were crucial elements as Georgia Gwinnett College and the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) split a doubleheader in Saturday's matchup of quality NAIA softball programs at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The No. 14-ranked Grizzlies (11-4) scored four runs in the fifth inning to rally for a 5-2 victory in the nightcap after the Red Storm (3-5), receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll, won the opener 1-0 with an unearned run in the sixth inning.

GGC and Rio Grande are very familiar programs, having been matched up during the 2019 and 2021 NAIA Opening Rounds in Lawrenceville.

Junior Josie Haulk provided the big hit for the Grizzlies in the nightcap, with a two-run bases-loaded single as the hosts took a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning. A throwing error on the hit allowed for a third run to score.

Freshman Enna Lackey and sophomore Lindzie Owen opened the frame with infield singles. A third single from senior Sydney Pelaez loaded the bases with no outs for Haulk's productive at-bat.

Senior Lea McFadden followed with a single to right field that brought home Haulk for GGC's decisive fifth run of the game.

Sophomore pitcher Annalise Wood struck out 13 batters and scattered four hits in the complete-game victory. She allowed two unearned runs in improving to 6-1 inside the pitching circle while lowering her earned run average to 0.29 after 48.3 innings in eight appearances.

Hits and runs were sparse in the opener, with both teams managing to get just four hits over the seven innings. Rio Grande plated the only run on Christen Risner's RBI single in the top of the sixth inning.

GGC starting pitcher Alexa Good (4-1) had five strikeouts in suffering her first loss of the season. Meanwhile, Rio Grande pitcher Sydney Campolo matched that effort with five strikeouts to collect the win.

All three runs allowed by the Grizzlies in the doubleheader were unearned.
 
"Our speed put pressure on Rio Grande's defense. We made a good adjustment in the second game. We're looking to see how those adjustments continue in tomorrow's doubleheader," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Trailing 2-1 in the fifth inning of the nightcap, the Grizzlies utilized some small ball offensive tactics to generate offense. Consecutive infield singles by freshman Enna Lackey and sophomore Lindzie Owen were followed by another infield single from senior Sydney Pelaez to load the bases. That set the stage for junior Josie Haulk to deliver a two-run single to center field. A throwing error allowed Pelaez to score another run as GGC took a decisive 4-2 lead.
 
First Game
Top of Sixth
Christen Risner hit a run-scoring single up the middle to plate the only run of the game
 
Second Game
Bottom of Second
Enna Lackey hit an RBI single to bring home Logan Oller and tie the game at 1-1
 
Bottom of Fifth
Josie Haulk lined a two-run single to center field and a throwing error allowed a third run to score on the play as the Grizzlies took a 4-2 lead
Lea McFadden hit a run-scoring single to right field to score Josie Haulk
 

• The Grizzlies tallied 14 hits across Saturday's doubleheader split
• Sophomore pitcher Annalise Wood recorded 13 strikeouts in the nightcap
• Sophomore shortstop Angelica Gallegos had five assists during the first game

• GGC stands 10-4 in 2023; Rio Grande is 3-5 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 14 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Rio Grande received votes in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College leads the series 14-5, with 15 of the 19 meetings coming since 2019

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the four-game weekend series against the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) with another doubleheader on Sunday, March 5, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at noon.