The No. 9-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team scored five runs in the second inning and took advantage of three defensive miscues to defeat Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) 7-5 on a damp and cool Saturday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Despite the inclement playing conditions both teams managed to produce runs in the early stages of the contest. Four of the five runs scored by the Blue Raiders (1-2) were unearned as GGC (3-0) committed a defensive error in each of the first three innings.

Lindsey Wilson took a 3-1 lead in the top half of the second following a throwing error that allowed two runs to score.

GGC bounced back during the home half of the frame as senior Lindzie Owen lined a two-run single to left-center field. That tied the contest, at 3-3, after senior Kayla Good and freshman Casey Beaver scored.

A few batters later, senior Makenna Talcott hit a run-scoring infield single that gave the hosts the lead for good. An additional throwing error allowed for another run to score. Lindsey Wilson committed its third error of the inning with another errant throw, allowing Talcott to plate the team's fifth run of the inning for a 6-3 lead.

Owen paced the Grizzlies' 13-hit offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Senior Jane Hoover tallied two hits and sophomore Sophie Sisk was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate.

Freshman starting pitcher Isabelle Teems scattered three hits and struck out three batters across three innings. The right hander allowed four unearned runs in her collegiate debut. Senior Kailynn James picked up her second win of the season after having four quality innings in relief.

GGC's second scheduled contest on Saturday against the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) was canceled due to the inclement weather and playing conditions. Plans are for the Grizzly Open to conclude on Sunday, February 16, with the team playing twice, beginning at 11 a.m.


 
Coach's Corner
"The players have put in a lot of work to make sure they are prepared. What you're seeing is all that hard practice work showing up in our games. With today's challenging playing conditions, you can only control your attitude and effort, and we are known for both. I wish we had been a little cleaner defensively behind Bella (Teems). She got some clutch outs and had a good first college start," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
Wet and cool playing conditions contributed to the teams combining for six defensive errors within the opening two-and-a-half innings. GGC took advantage of three Lindsey Wilson errors to score five runs in the second inning. That gave the hosts a 6-3 lead. Senior Makenna Talcott hit an infield single for a 4-3 lead. A throwing error on the play allowed an additional run to score. Another throwing error provided the opportunity for the Grizzlies to add the sixth run of the game.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Morgan McQuagge lined a run-scoring single to center field, tying the game at 1-1
 
Bottom of Second
Lindzie Owen hit a single to left-center field to score a pair of runs and once again tied the contest, this time at 3-3
Makenna Talcott added a run-scoring single while a throwing error allowed two more runs to touch home plate
A throwing error allowed Makenna Talcott to cap a five-run frame for GGC
 
Bottom of Fourth
Kaitlyn Crumley scored following a wild pitch for a key insurance run, at 7-5
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit Lindsey Wilson by a 13-6 margin
• Senior Lindzie Owen went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored on Saturday
• Both teams committed three errors in the contest
• The Grizzlies have put five runs on the scoreboard during an inning in each meeting this spring against Lindsey Wilson

News & Notes

• GGC improved to 3-0 this spring; Lindsey Wilson dropped to 1-2
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• The team leads the series with Lindsey Wilson by a 14-7 margin
• GGC has scored 18 runs through the team's first three games in 2025

Up Next
The Grizzly Open is scheduled to conclude with Georgia Gwinnett College playing Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) and No. 25 College of Coastal Georgia on Sunday, February 16, at the Grizzly Softball Complex. The team's games are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.