The No. 4-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team is preparing to play six games over the course of three days this weekend in its first road tests of the season at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association NAIA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

The Grizzlies (4-0) are scheduled to play three games on Friday, February 16: Webber International University (Florida), at 11 a.m.; Calumet College of St. Joseph (Indiana), at 3:30 p.m.; and Jessup University (California), at 5:30 p.m.

The challenges continue Saturday, February 17, against IU Southeast, at 3:30 p.m., and Lawrence Tech (Michigan), at 5:30 p.m. The slate ends Sunday, February 18, against Georgetown College (Kentucky), at 11 a.m.

Georgia Gwinnett College hopes to return to the South Commons Complex in Columbus at the end of the season to compete in the NAIA World Series.

The team opened the season with four victories last weekend, twice defeating Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) and Taylor University (Indiana). The team allowed just three runs across the four games.

Junior Annalise Jarvis earned Continental Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week honors after picking up a pair of wins, striking out 24 batters, and not allowing a run in two appearances in the pitching circle.

Classmate Kailyn Berry also stands 2-0 with a complete-game victory in a 6-1 triumph against Taylor. She picked up a win in relief against Lindsey Wilson.

Offensively, junior Lindzie Owen paces the Grizzlies with a .417 batting average and a team-high five runs scored. She legged out a pair of triples and one double among her five hits. Owen also was successful in stealing three bases.

Sophomore Summer Hickson leads the team with four runs batted in and hit a solo home run against Lindsey Wilson last Saturday. She is hitting at a .400 clip, the same as senior Kloey Goins, who has three RBI.
 
JARVIS COLLECTS PITCHING HONOR
Junior Annalise Jarvis is the reigning Continental Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week after a strong start to the 2024 season. She recorded 24 strikeouts and did not allow a run across 11 innings and two appearances. The right hander had 14 strikeouts in a shutout to open the season last Friday against Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky).
 
BUSY WEEKEND
The Grizzlies are scheduled to play six games at the NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic, including three contests during Friday's opening day. The team plays opponents from California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan over the course of the three days.
 
RETURN TRIP TO COLUMBUS
GGC returns to Columbus, Georgia, for this weekend's event for the first time since the 2023 NAIA World Series. The Grizzlies went 2-2 at that World Series, collecting wins against Baker University (Kansas) and Central Methodist University (Missouri). Columbus' South Commons Complex will host this year's NAIA World Series on May 23-29.
 
FOLLOW THE GRIZZLIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
GGCAthletics.com is the home for the latest news and information regarding the softball team. Also watch all home games broadcast on the Grizzly Digital Network. Download the GGC App to receive schedule updates. For the latest news and schedules follow GGC Athletics and GGC Softball through the following social media: Twitter (@GGCAthletics; @GGC_Softball), Facebook (GGCAthletics) and Instagram (GGCAthletics; @ggc_softball).