Timely hitting and strong pitching performances guided the No. 9-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to a pair of shutout road victories on Saturday afternoon with 8-0 and 7-0 victories over Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.

The Grizzlies (13-2), winner of six straight games, used productive second innings in both contests. In the opener, junior Sara Roussel and senior Angelica Gallegos hit consecutive run-scoring singles, both with two outs, to give the visitors a 4-0 advantage.

Senior Lindzie Owen led off the game with a single and scored the game's first run following a single by senior Haley Robinson.

In the second game, the Grizzlies drew three consecutive walks with the bases loaded to grab a quick 3-0 lead during the second inning. All this scoring damage was done with two outs in the inning.

Later, junior Savannah Jenkins hit an RBI single down the left field line to give GGC a 4-0 lead in the sixth inning. Senior Jane Hoover followed with a two-run double as the team pushed across four runs in the frame.

Senior starting pitcher Kailynn James scattered four hits and struck out five batters during the opening game to improve her record to 4-1 for the season. Then, classmate Annalise Jarvis tallied seven strikeouts in tossing another shutout to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Gallegos paced the Grizzlies' balanced offensive attack by going 3-for-3 in the nightcap. Hoover tallied two hits across both games as the team collected 10 hits in both victories.
 
Coach's Corner
"The team was very focused today. We had some great timely hits and good plate discipline that led to several runs. The pitchers both did a great job commanding the strike zone and the defense had their back when opposing runners were on base. I'm very happy for Annalise to get a hometown win and very happy for the team to come home with two shutout victories," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
Timely two-out hitting produced offense throughout both games of Saturday's doubleheader sweep. Back-to-back run-scoring singles by junior Sara Roussel and senior Angelica Gallegos broke open a four-run second inning. Then, GGC took advantage of three straight walks with the bases loaded, once again with two outs, to take a 3-0 lead during the second inning of the nightcap.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Haley Robinson hit a run-scoring single up the middle to plate Lindzie Owen
 
Top of Second
Lindzie Owen collected a sacrifice fly that gave GGC a 2-0 advantage
Sara Roussel added a single through the left side of the infield to bring home two more runs
Angelica Gallegos hit an RBI single to cap a four-run inning
 
Top of Fourth
Angelica Gallegos hit a sacrifice fly to score Lindzie Owen
 
Second Game
Top of Second
Sara Roussel drew a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring
Angelica Gallegos followed with another walk that brought home another run
Haley Robinson gave the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead with another bases-loaded walk
 
Top of Sixth
Savannah Jenkins hit a run-scoring single down the left field line
Jane Hoover brought home a pair of runs with a double that gave GGC a 6-0 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies tallied 10 hits during both games on Saturday
• Senior Angelica Gallegos went 3-for-3 and drew a pair of walks in the nightcap
• GGC hitters were issued 10 walks across both games, highlighted by eight walks in the second contest
• The Grizzlies registered their fifth and sixth shutouts out of 15 games this season

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 13-2 this spring; Cumberland falls to 2-7 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• The team is now 4-3-1 all-time against the Phoenix
• GGC has won six straight games

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to the United States Sports Academy (Alabama) on Tuesday, March 4, at Daphne, Alabama, starting at 3 p.m.