The No. 6-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team concluded its three-day, five-game Alabama road trip with a winning record after splitting a doubleheader against Saint Xavier University (Illinois) on Thursday afternoon at the University of Mobile (Alabama).

The Grizzlies (16-4) rebounded from a 1-0 setback in the day's opener to post a 5-1 win behind strong pitching and timely hitting.

In the second-game victory, senior Jane Hoover drew a bases-loaded walk in the opening frame to give GGC a quick 1-0 lead. She later added a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

Freshman Samantha Fadely led off the fourth inning with her first collegiate home run, extending the lead to 3-0. Senior Haley Robinson tallied a run-scoring single later in the inning.

Senior Kayla Good rounded out the balanced offensive production with an RBI single in the sixth inning that scored junior Enna Lackey for the team's fifth run of the contest.

That was enough run support for senior starting pitcher Annalise Jarvis, who struck out seven batters in the complete-game victory. That triumph improved her record to 9-1 for the season.

Junior Sara Roussel and Lackey collected two apiece as part of GGC's seven-hit offensive attack in the second game.

In the first contest, Saint Xavier (10-4) manufactured the game's lone run when Kaitlyn Wright scored as Aubrey Wroble was thrown out attempting to steal second base in the top of the third inning.

Saint Xavier starting pitcher Lily Strand scattered three hits in tossing a shutout.

GGC pitcher Kailynn James struck out five batters and allowed just five hits in the game.
 
Coach's Corner
"We had a great opportunity to showcase ourselves the past two days against the type of opponents we may see later in the postseason. Our pitching did a good job, with Kailynn (James) keeping us in the first game. It was nice to see the team make some adjustments between games," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
For the second straight day, the Grizzlies bounced back from a one-run loss in the day's opener to collect a split against a team featured in the NAIA Top 25 poll. The team's offense was productive in the middle innings, plating a run in the third inning and two additional runs in the fourth inning to build a 4-0 advantage.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of Third
Kaitlyn Wright scored on a fielder's choice to provide the lone run of the contest for Saint Xavier
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Jane Hoover drew a bases-loaded walk to give GGC a 1-0 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Jane Hoover hit a sacrifice fly to center field
 
Bottom of Fourth
Samantha Fadely led off the frame with a home run, extending the lead to 3-0
Haley Robinson added a run-scoring single to right field
 
Bottom of Sixth
Kayla Good hit an RBI single to center field that brought home Enna Lackey
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies managed seven of their 10 hits in Thursday's second contest
• Freshman Samantha Fadely hit her first collegiate home run
• Senior Annalise Jarvis recorded her ninth pitching victory of the 2025 season
• Juniors Enna Lackey and Sara Roussel each collected two hits in the second game

News & Notes

• GGC is 16-4 this spring; Saint Xavier stands is 10-4 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the first NAIA Top 25 poll of the regular season; Saint Xavier received votes in the same poll
• Saint Xavier leads the all-time series with GGC by a 6-5 margin
• The team went 3-2 during its three-day, five-game Alabama road trip

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 22 University of Mobile (Alabama) for the start of Senior Weekend on Friday, March 14, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 2 p.m.