Strong pitching performances led the No. 9-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to a pair of shutout victories on Friday afternoon to begin the 2025 season at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

GGC (2-0) began the Grizzly Open with a 9-0 triumph in five innings against Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) before posting a 2-0 triumph against the University of Rio Grande (Ohio).

Senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis tossed a four-hit shutout in the opener against Lindsey Wilson and then was called upon in relief to strike out the only two batters she faced with the potential game-tying run being in scoring position in the nightcap.

Senior pitcher Kailynn James struck out four batters and scattered five hits across 6.1 innings against Rio Grande.

The Grizzlies started fast against Lindsey Wilson as senior Haley Robinson hit a run-scoring ground out to shortstop that brought home senior Lindzie Owen in the bottom of the first inning. The lead grew to 2-0 following a single by junior Summer Hickson in the third inning.

Then, the hosts used the productive fourth inning to stretch the margin to 7-0. Sophomore Sophie Sisk lined a double down the left field that scored two runs. Robinson drove in her second run of the game with a single before senior Angelica Gallegos brought home a pair of runs with a single to right-center field.

Junior Enna Lackey added a two-run single one inning later to cap the strong season-opening offensive performance.

In the nightcap, sophomore Morgan McQuagge drew a bases-loaded walk in the third inning to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

James limited the Red Storm's offense in the middle innings. The Grizzlies plated an unearned run for a key insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning as senior Makenna Talcott scampered home following a passed ball.

Rio Grande threatened in the top of the seventh inning with a leadoff walk and a single to put the tying run on base. A sacrifice bunt advanced the base runners into scoring position. That's when the Grizzlies turned to Jarvis in relief. The right hander ended the threat by striking out the next two batters.


 
Coach's Corner
"The pitching staff is going to carry us this season. They did an outstanding job and limited two powerful teams that are going to have great runs in their conferences. We settled in offensively. Success follows success and they all followed each other and attacked good pitches," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to win the 2025 season opener. Sophomore Sophie Sisk brought home a pair of runs with a double to jumpstart the key offensive inning. Seniors Haley Robinson and Angelica Gallegos added run-scoring singles as the hosts grabbed a commanding 7-0 lead.
 
Key Plays
Lindsey Wilson Game
Bottom of First
Haley Robinson hit a run-scoring ground out to shortstop to plate Lindzie Owen
 
Bottom of Third
Summer Hickson lined a single to left field that allowed Morgan McQuagge to score following a throwing error
 
Bottom of Fourth
Sophie Sisk brought home a pair of runs with a double down the left field line
Haley Robinson added an RBI single to extend GGC's lead to 5-0
Angelica Gallegos collected a single that scored a pair of runs to cap a five-run frame
 
Bottom of Fifth
Enna Lackey hit a two-run single up the middle to score the team's ninth run of the contest
 
Rio Grande Game
Bottom of Third
Morgan McQuagge drew a bases-loaded walk to plate the first run of the game
 
Bottom of Sixth
Makeena Talcott scored following a passed ball to give GGC a 2-0 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies tallied 17 hits to score their 11 runs in Friday afternoon's two games
• Senior Lindzie Owen successfully stole three bases
• Senior starting pitcher Annalise Jarvis tossed a shutout against Lindsey Wilson and then sealed the game in a save opportunity against Rio Grande
• Senior Haley Robinson drove in a pair of runs in Friday's first contest

News & Notes

• GGC posted two wins to open the 2025 season on Friday; Lindsey Wilson stands 0-2 after beginning the 2025 campaign Friday; Rio Grande is 4-2 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Rio Grande received votes in the same poll
• The team leads the series with Lindsey Wilson 13-7; GGC leads the series with Rio Grande 17-5
• GGC went 23-6 at the Grizzly Softball Complex in 2024

Up Next
The Grizzly Open continues with Georgia Gwinnett College playing Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) and the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) on Saturday, February 15, at the Grizzly Softball Complex. The team's games are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.