The No. 4-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to defeat IU Southeast 3-1 before coming up on the losing end of another rally against Lawrence Tech (Michigan) 5-4 during Saturday's action at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association NAIA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia.

The Grizzlies (8-1) have won four of the five games in the weekend tournament, with a final game coming up on Sunday, February 17.

Senior Kloey Goins hit a fielder's choice in the third inning to open the scoring against IU Southeast (1-3). The Grenadiers would square the contest in the fourth inning off an unearned run.

A few innings later, GGC took the lead, 2-1, for good following an RBI double by senior Logan Oller. She later came around to score an insurance run on a single from junior Linzie Owen.

Junior pitcher Annalise Jarvis scattered five hits to improve to 4-0 inside the circle this spring with the complete-game victory.

In the nightcap, Lily Morrissette hit a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning to give the Blue Devils a 4-0 advantage.

GGC chipped away at the deficit with Goins and junior Kailynn James collecting back-to-back run-scoring singles to bring the team within two runs at 4-2.

Lawrence Tech (3-4) would plate an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning before the nationally ranked Grizzlies had another offensive rally. Oller hit her first collegiate home run, a two-run blast, that trimmed the deficit to 5-4. The team would have a potential tying run in scoring position before relief pitcher Clover Brandt got the final two outs to secure the victory for the Michigan team.

GGC tallied 13 hits across Saturday's action, with Oller going 3-for-5 at the plate, scoring three runs and having two RBI.
 
Coach's Corner
"We have a resilient group that has played a lot of softball over the last two days. Logan (Oller) had some incredible hits in each game. We recognize that it is only mid-February. This team's identity is being formed by facing quality softball teams on this stage (NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic)," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies used a strong finish to win Saturday's opener against IU Southeast. Senior Logan Oller delivered a clutch go-ahead double in the top of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 deadlock. She would later score as junior Lindzie Owen followed with a run-scoring single. The Grizzlies' two-run sixth inning propelled the team to a 3-1 win against an opponent receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll.
 
Key Plays
IU Southeast Game
Top of Third
Kloey Goins opened the scoring by hitting a fielder's choice that allowed Lindzie Owen to plate the first run
 
Top of Sixth
Logan Oller gave the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead with an RBI double
Lindzie Owen added a run-scoring single
 
Lawrence Tech Game
Bottom of Third
Lily Morrissette hit a grand slam to give the Blue Devils a 4-0 lead
 
Top of Fifth
Kloey Goins hit an RBI ground out to second base that brought the Grizzlies within three runs, 4-1
Kailynn James added a run-scoring single
 
Top of Seventh
Logan Oller hit her first career home run to bring the Grizzlies within a run, 5-4
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies registered 13 hits across Saturday's action, led by eight hits against Lawrence Tech
• Senior Logan Oller went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI
• Junior pitcher Annalise Jarvis improved to 4-0 by picking up the win against IU Southeast

News & Notes

• GGC stands 8-1 on the season; IU Southeast is 1-3 in 2024; Lawrence Tech stands 3-4 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 4 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; IU Southeast received votes in the same poll
• The team has a 4-1 record at the NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude play in the NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic against Georgetown College (Kentucky) on Sunday, February 18, from Columbus, Georgia, starting at 11 a.m.