Infielders Provide Softball Versatility for 2025 Season

Familiar faces return across a talented infield unit as the preseason No. 9-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team seeks to once again play meaningful games in late May.

The Grizzlies feature returning starters at third base, in a double-play combination and first base position when they hit the diamond to host the Grizzly Open from February 14-16 at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

GGCAthletics.com begins to examine the 2025 squad by highlighting the players that will be fielding ground balls on the infield dirt.

Veteran Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg is blessed to have 10 players that could see playing time this spring at any of the four infield positions.

Sophomore Morgan McQuagge had the most significant hit of GGC’s 2024 season when the third baseman hit a walk-off run-scoring single in the championship game of the NAIA Opening Round Lawrenceville Bracket. This lone hit of a game gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 victory against top-seeded Eastern Oregon University and a trip to the NAIA World Series for the second consecutive season.

In her collegiate debut season, McQuagge batted .305 and started 40 of her 43 appearances. She also scored 20 runs and drove in 15 runs. 

“Experience gives you confidence. Morgan (McQuagge) played in so many big moments for us last year. She had to observe a whole season (2023) but was locked in and prepared for her opportunity in 2024,” said the coach.

Senior Lindzie Owen is one of the many interchangeable parts as a utility player. The 2023 NAIA All-American has seen playing time as a designated player, catcher, on the infield dirt, and even the outfield. Owen batted .330 behind 37 hits, including seven triples and two doubles. She was successful on all 40 of her stolen base attempts in 43 games played last spring.

Meanwhile, senior Jane Hoover has started at first base, second base and third base positions. In 2024, she started all 48 games and recorded five doubles and hit one home run.

Senior Makenna Talcott emerged as the Grizzlies’ starting second baseman halfway through the season. She proceeded to post a team-leading .349 batting average and was selected to the Continental Athletic Conference all-tournament team. Talcott scored 16 runs and stole nine bases in 11 attempts while starting 31 games.

Classmate Haley Robinson shared team-high honors for homers (2) last season and started 46 games as a middle infielder. She moved from second base to being GGC’s starting shortstop in the backend of the 2024 campaign. Fellow senior Kailynn James served as a corner infielder when not being inside the pitching circle during her first season in the Green and Gray.

Junior middle infielder Summer Hickson started 36 of her 37 appearances last spring. She had seven doubles and two triples.

Adding to infield unit’s depth and competing for playing time in 2025 will be juniors Savannah Jenkins and Sara Roussel along with freshman Bailey Bowen.

GGC’s season opener comes on Friday, February 14, for the opening day of the Grizzly Open. Games are scheduled against Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) and the University of Rio Grande (Ohio).