Senior Kailynn James struck out a career-high 10 batters in tossing a shutout as the No. 8-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team split a doubleheader against Cumberland University (Tennessee) on Tuesday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

James' dominant pitching performance lifted the hosts to a 6-0 victory in the day's opener before the Phoenix rebounded with a 4-2 triumph in the nightcap that ended the Grizzlies' 11-game winning streak.

GGC (27-6) scored early and often in the first game, tallying six runs across the first two innings. Senior Makenna Talcott opened the contest with a single to plate two runs in the first frame.

Then, junior Sara Roussel hit an RBI single to give the hosts a 4-0 advantage in the second inning. Sophomore Sophie Sisk followed with a run-scoring double before a bases-loaded walk to sophomore Morgan McQuagge capped the early offensive production.

James retired 12 straight batters and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The right hander improved her record to 9-2 for the season.

Talcott paced GGC's 11-hit offensive attack by going 2-for-2 and driving in a pair of runs. Sisk tallied three hits, while Roussel went 2-for-4 at the plate.

In the second game, Cumberland (12-16) pushed across a run in the first inning and built a 2-0 advantage following an RBI single by Sara Brogden in the top of the third inning.

A two-run single from Hailey Donato during the sixth inning extended the lead to 4-0.

GGC attempted a rally as junior Summer Hickson lined a run-scoring single in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Then, freshman Casey Beaver scored on a fielder's choice to trim the deficit in half at 4-2.

Hickson registered three hits for the Grizzlies in the second contest. Beaver and Roussel also recorded multiple-hit efforts.


 
Coach's Corner
"Kailynn was focused coming off winning the CAC Softball Pitcher of the Week award. She was determined to do her job, which is throwing strikes and getting outs," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
GGC scored six runs through the first two innings of Tuesday's opening game. Senior Makenna Talcott hit a two-run single in the first inning. Then, sophomore Sophie Sisk connected on an RBI double to left-center field that gave the Grizzlies a 5-0 advantage.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of First
Makenna Talcott lined a two-run single to left-center field
 
Bottom of Second
Sara Roussel hit an RBI single through the left side of the infield to give GGC a 4-0 lead
Sophie Sisk followed with a run-scoring double
Morgan McQuagge drew a bases-loaded walk to cap a four-run frame
 
Second Game
Top of Third
Sara Brogdon hit an RBI single up the middle to give the Phoenix a 2-0 lead
 
Top of Sixth
Hailey Donato drove in a pair of runs with a single to center field
 
Bottom of Sixth
Summer Hickson lined an RBI single that brought home Makenna Talcott
 
Bottom of Seventh
Casey Beaver scored on a fielder's choice that cut the deficit to 4-2
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies tallied 21 hits across Tuesday's doubleheader, led by 11 hits in the opener
• Junior Sara Roussel registered two hits in both contests
• Senior pitcher Kailynn James struck out a career-high 10 batters in tossing the first-game shutout
• Sophomore Sophie Sisk legged out two doubles in Tuesday's triumph

News & Notes

• GGC stands 27-6 on the season; Cumberland is 12-16 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College now leads the series history with Cumberland by a 5-4-1 margin
• Senior Kailynn James is the reigning Continental Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Middle Georgia State University on Wednesday, April 2, in Cochran, Georgia, starting at 4 p.m.