A two-run home run in the sixth inning by University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) softball infielder Carly Oliver was the deciding factor as the No. 9-ranked Patriots scored a 2-0 victory on their home diamond against the No. 3 Georgia Gwinnett College in Thursday evening's opener of a three-game series in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

Hits were hard to come by for both teams in a pitcher's duel between GGC junior Annalise Jarvis and Cumberlands' Talli Burgess. The Grizzlies tallied five hits – all singles – while the three hits for the hosts went for extra bases (the home run and two doubles).

A double to left field by Anaiyah White set up Oliver's productive smash with one out in the inning.

Both teams stranded a runner in scoring position during the fifth inning.

GGC (16-3) also threatened in the top of the seventh inning after getting a leadoff single from sophomore Summer Hickson. Junior Angelica Gallegos lined a single to center field to put the tying run on base with one out. However, a double play ended the threat and contest.

Jarvis, who struck out four batters, now has an 8-1 pitching record this season.
  "That was the quickest seven-inning softball game I've been a part of (completed in 1 hour and 11 minutes). They came up with big hits and plays and the game was a matter of inches. We'll come back tomorrow looking to get back to playing 'Grizzly softball,'" said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
  Cumberlands' three hits all went for extra bases. A double by Anaiyah White was followed by a home run from Carly Oliver, with two strikes in the at-bat. The Patriots also turned a double play to end the contest after the Grizzlies had a potential game-tying run on base, with one out, in the top of the seventh inning.
  Bottom of Sixth
Carly Oliver hit a two-run home run to left field
 

• The Grizzlies outhit Cumberlands by a 5-3 margin
• GGC stranded four base runners in the contest
• Freshman Sophie Sisk recorded three putouts from right field

• GGC drops to 16-3 this spring; Cumberlands improves to 15-4 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the first NAIA Top 25 poll of the regular season; Cumberlands stood No. 9 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won seven of the 11 all-time meetings in the series

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the series against University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) for a doubleheader on Friday, March 8, at Williamsburg, Kentucky, starting at noon.