Senior Kailynn James matched a personal career high with 10 strikeouts in tossing a 1-0 shutout victory for the No. 9-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team against No. 3 University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) on Wednesday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Both teams knew that runs were going to be a premium between the top-10 teams. James entered the contest with a 1.02 earned run average while Cumberlands pitcher Lindsey Shope had a 1.45 ERA.

James allowed one hit in each of the first three innings but stranded an opposing base runner at second base during the first and second innings. The right hander then struck out Jules Johnson to close out a scoring threat in the top of the fourth inning with a runner once again at second base.

In the bottom half of the inning, GGC's offense produced the game's lone run. Sophomore Sophie Sisk registered a one-out single through the right side of the infield. A sacrifice bunt by senior Makenna Talcott advanced Sisk into scoring position at second base.

That's when junior Savannah Jenkins, the reigning Continental Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week, lined a sharp single to right field that brought home Sisk for the hosts' 1-0 advantage.

James retired the final 10 batters of the game to toss her fifth shutout of the season and improve her record to 13-3 on the season.

"It was a huge to leave the (opposing) base runners at second base. I had all the confidence in the defense behind me. That support is the biggest relief a pitcher can have," said James.

Sisk and Jenkins led the Grizzlies' offensive attack, each tallying two hits in the victory.

The victory avenged a 1-0 loss to the Patriots in eight innings that eliminated GGC from the 2024 NAIA World Series.


 
Coach's Corner
"Kailynn did her job. We've focused on each athlete knowing their job and performing their role. It is nice to see the hard work in practice show up in games. Offensively, we have a lot of players who have stolen bases, a lot of players who have sacrifice bunts and hits. The simple things win for us," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The fourth inning loomed large in a scoreless affair between two World Series-caliber teams. In the top of the frame, senior Kailynn James recorded a strikeout to end the Patriots' scoring threat by stranding a runner at second base. GGC then turned around and produced the game's lone run. Sophomore Sophie Sisk started the winning rally with a one-out single and then scored on an RBI single from junior Savannah Jenkins with two outs in the inning.
 
Key Plays
Top of Fourth
Kailynn James struck out Jules Johnson to strand a runner in scoring position at second base
 
Bottom of Fourth
Savannah Jenkins hit a run-scoring single to right field, with two outs, that brought home Sophie Sisk with the only run of the game
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outhit Cumberlands by a 4-3 margin
• Junior Savannah Jenkins is tied for the team lead with 25 RBI this season
• Senior pitcher Kailynn James matched her career high with 10 strikeouts in the shutout
• Sophomore Sophie Sisk went 2-for-3 and scored a run on Wednesday

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 34-8 this spring; Cumberlands falls to 32-7 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Top 25 poll, announced on Wednesday, April 16, by the national office. Cumberlands stood No. 3 in the same poll
• Wednesday's victory gave GGC an 8-7 lead in the series with the Patriots; Cumberlands eliminated the Grizzlies from the 2024 NAIA World Series with a 1-0 victory in eight innings
• Georgia Gwinnett College has a 15-2 record at the Grizzly Softball Complex this season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Thomas University (Georgia) on Friday, April 18, for a doubleheader at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 4 p.m.