The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team took advantage of seven walks and two hit batters in defeating Baker University (Kansas) 6-2 – on just one hit – in Friday morning's elimination contest at the 2023 NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia.
The Grizzlies (44-11) remain in the elimination-round bracket of the World Series. The tournament's No. 5 seed is scheduled to play on Saturday, May 27, starting at 10 a.m., against the loser of Friday's game between Central Methodist University (Missouri) and Oregon Tech.
After trailing 1-0, GGC scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning to take its first lead of the World Series.
Junior
Kloey Goins drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the contest against Baker (47-12). Then, sophomore
Angelica Gallegos was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat to bring home sophomore
Kayla Good for the go-ahead run.
Then, the team plated four runs in the fourth inning to build a commanding 6-1 lead.
Sophomore
Lindzie Owen hit an infield RBI single – GGC's only hit in the contest – to open the four-run fourth frame. A fielding error by the Wildcats on a ground ball hit by senior
Lea McFadden allowed another run to score.
GGC showcased its speed to manufacture its final two runs of the fourth inning. Sophomore
Emerson Hall stole second base and while that was happening Owen swiped home plate from third base as the Grizzlies extended their lead to 5-1. A passed ball allowed Hall to score later in the frame.
Sophomore pitcher
Kailyn Berry scattered five hits and allowed one earned run across seven strong innings to improve her record to 9-4 on the season. The right hander stands 3-0 in NAIA postseason play during her career.
GGC recorded three steals, drew seven walks and was hit by a pitch on two occasions during Friday's victory.
"It was a gritty performance. I was proud of Kailyn (Berry) as she was able to get a lot of clutch ground-ball outs. Angelica (Gallegos) picked us up at third base today with some nice plays. It's nice to continue to be playing at the World Series," said Head Coach
Kat Ihlenburg.
The Grizzlies may have only had one hit, but they had enough base runners to score six runs in the elimination-round contest. The team took advantage of six walks and two hit batters from Baker starting pitcher Kira Baker. GGC plated two runs in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead, without recording a base hit. Junior
Kloey Goins drew a bases-loaded walk before sophomore
Angelica Gallegos was hit by a pitch. The team then stole three bases during a four-run fourth inning.
Top of Third
Morgan Loggins scored following a throwing error for an unearned run to put Baker ahead 1-0
Bottom of Third
Kloey Goins drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the contest at 1-1
Angelica Gallegos was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to plate the team's second run of the frame
Bottom of Fourth
Lindzie Owen hit an infield single that brought home
Sydney Pelaez
Lea McFadden reached on a fielding error that gave GGC a 4-1 lead
Lindzie Owen successfully stole home on the backend of
Emerson Hall stealing second base
Emerson Hall scored following a passed ball to cap the team's four-run frame
- Baker outhit the Grizzlies by a 5-1 margin
- GGC hitters drew seven walks and were hit by a pitch on two other occasions
- Senior Sydney Pelaez had three walks and scored two runs in the victory
- Sophomore Kailyn Berry picked up her ninth victory of the 2023 season
- GGC improves to 44-11 on the season, while Baker ends its season with a 47-12 on the season
- The Grizzlies were ranked No. 8 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; Baker stood No. 7 in the same poll
- GGC was the No. 5 seed in the NAIA World Series bracket; Baker was the No. 9 seed
- The Grizzlies picked up their fifth victory in program history at the NAIA World Series
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play another elimination-round contest on Saturday, May 27, at the 2023 NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia, starting at 10 a.m. The opponent will be determined by the loser of Friday afternoon's game between Central Methodist University (Missouri) and Oregon Tech.
