Even in its 12th season the Georgia Gwinnett College softball program is still accomplishing a historic first.

Junior pitchers Kailyn Berry and Annalise Jarvis tossed the program's first combined no-hitter as the No. 4-ranked Grizzlies completed a doubleheader sweep with a 7-0 victory against No. 16 Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday evening at the Grizzly Softball Complex. GGC (12-2) opened the action with a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Berry held the Knights in check without a hit through the first four innings before Jarvis took over to secure the no-hit achievement. The Grizzlies have now had 12 no-hitters in program history.

Meanwhile, the hosts raced out to a 5-0 lead after the opening frame of the nightcap, with RBI singles coming from freshman Morgan McQuagge and sophomore Summer Hickson. Hickson later successfully stole home on a double-steal attempt.

Berry, in just her second career hitting appearance, brought home a pair of runs when a ground ball was misplayed by the opposing defense.

One inning later, Hickson lined a two-run double to give the hosts a commanding 7-0 advantage.

"It is really exciting to be a part of something historic. The defense made some great plays behind me and was amazing the entire game," said Berry, who tossed the first no-hitter of her softball pitching career.

In the opener, GGC plated three runs in the bottom of the third inning to overcome a second-inning 1-0 deficit. A throwing error following a single by junior Makenna Talcott allowed the tying run to score. Senior Kloey Goins followed with a two-run double to left-center field.

Middle Georgia State (9-3) got within a run, at 3-2, on a sacrifice fly from Gabbie Haas in the top of the fourth inning.

That's when Jarvis made her first relief appearance of the evening to preserve the one-run lead with two scoreless innings in the circle. She also recorded a save during the nightcap after her three no-hit innings.

"I'm so proud of KB (Kailyn). She pitched amazing and coming into the game (from the bullpen) I didn't want to let her down," said Jarvis.


  "This turned into a special and great outcome for two of our pitchers. It was nice to see the energy of our team ignite in this doubleheader sweep. Offensively, we were able to execute in the third inning of the first game and early in the second contest. A simple base hit allowed us to put runners in motion, put pressure on the defense and score runs," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
  Junior Kailyn Berry tossed the first four no-hit innings during Tuesday's second contest before classmate Annalise Jarvis secured the program's first combined no-hitter with a perfect three innings. It is the 12th no-hitter in program history. Berry helped her pitching cause by bringing home two runs on a ground ball in her first hitting appearance at the plate.
  First Game
Bottom of Third
Sophie Sisk scored following a throwing error on a single by Makenna Talcott to tie the contest at 1-1
Kloey Goins hit a two-run double to left-center field to give the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Morgan McQuagge lined a run-scoring single to right field to open the scoring
Summer Hickson hit an RBI single to center field
Summer Hickson successfully stole home on the backend of a double-steal attempt
Kailyn Berry brought home a pair of runs with a ground ball to second base
 
Bottom of Second
Summer Hickson hit a two-run double to center field
 

• The Grizzlies tallied 14 hits across the doubleheader sweep
• Freshman Morgan McQuagge went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the second game
• Sophomore shortstop Summer Hickson recorded four assists during the second contest
• Junior Lindzie Owen successfully stole a base in each game

• GGC improves to 12-2 this spring; Middle Georgia State falls to 9-3 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 4 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Middle Georgia State stood No. 16 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College threw the program's 12th no-hitter and first combined no-hitter during Tuesday's second contest
• GGC holds a 9-3 lead in the series with the Knights

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Truett-McConnell University (Georgia) on Thursday, February 29, in a doubleheader at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 3:30 p.m.