The No. 4 seed Southern Oregon University softball team scored five runs in the third inning to defeat No. 5 seed Georgia Gwinnett College 5-1 in first-round play of the 2023 NAIA World Series on Thursday afternoon in Columbus, Georgia.

The Grizzlies (43-11) will now play No. 9 seed Baker University (Kansas) in an elimination-round game on Friday, May 26, starting at 10 a.m.

GLORY DAYS

Southern Oregon (47-12) broke a scoreless contest with the third-inning scoring outburst. Riley Donovan, the 2022 NAIA Player of the Year, drew a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring. One batter later, Kayla Williams connected on a grand slam to give Southern Oregon a 5-0 advantage.

GGC, making its first World Series appearance since 2019, got on the scoreboard behind a solo home run from senior Sydney Pelaez in the top of the fifth inning. The round tripper marked her seventh homer this season, setting a new career high.

The Grizzlies stranded five base runners, including four through the first two innings. Williams walked a pair of runners to load the bases in the top of the second inning, but got a ground ball to end the scoring threat. The team's offense was limited to two hits in the game.
  "We played well and had our chances. However, we couldn't turn them into runs. Meanwhile, they took advantage of their opportunities. It's as simple as that. This was a valuable learning experience for our younger players, who performed well on the World Series stage," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
  Southern Oregon took advantage of its first scoring opportunity in the third inning. Riley Donovan drew a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring. A few pitches later, Kayla Williams hit a grand slam to give the Raiders a 5-0 advantage. Meanwhile, GGC left the bases loaded in the second inning and stranded a runner at third base with less than two outs in the opening frame.
  Bottom of Third
Riley Donovan drew a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring
Kayla Williams connected on a grand slam to left-center field that gave the Raiders a 5-0 lead
 
Top of Fifth
Sydney Pelaez hit a solo home run for her seventh round tripper of the season
 

• Southern Oregon outhit the Grizzlies by a 4-2 margin
• The Grizzlies drew four walks in the contest
• Senior Sydney Pelaez hit her seventh home run of the season, setting her career high
• GGC left five base runners – and potential runs – in the contest, including four through the first two innings

• GGC drops to 43-11 in 2023, while Southern Oregon improves to 47-12 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 8 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; Southern Oregon stood No. 4 in the same poll
• GGC was the No. 5 seed in the NAIA World Series bracket; Southern Oregon was the No. 4 seed
• Thursday marked the first meeting between the two programs
• The Grizzlies are making their third appearance in the World Series

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play Baker University (Kansas) in an elimination-round contest on Friday, May 26, at the 2023 NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia, starting at 10 a.m.