The No. 8-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team began its four-game California road trip with a doubleheader sweep Tuesday afternoon by identical 4-2 scores against No. 18 Hope International University in Fullerton, California.

The Grizzlies (31-8) have surpassed the 30-win plateau for the 11th time in the program's 13 seasons.

Junior Savannah Jenkins anchored GGC's offensive production in the games. She went 2-for-4 and drove in a run during the opener before connecting on a grand slam to account for all the team's runs in the second game. It was her third homer of the season.

The visitors took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning on Jenkins' RBI single to left field. She later added a single along and a subsequent defensive error by the right fielder allowed senior Makenna Talcott to score from first base. That gave the Georgia visitors a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.

Hope International (29-9) tied the contest, at 2-2, behind a run in the bottom half of the third inning and an RBI single by Sarah Reisler in the fourth inning.

However, Jenkins once again delivered for the Grizzlies in the top of the fifth inning. She hit a ground ball that was misplayed by HIU's shortstop. Sophomore Sophie Sisk scampered home with the go-ahead run. Another fielding error in the sixth inning by the Royals allowed another run for the Grizzlies.

Senior starting pitcher Kailynn James scattered eight hits across 4.1 innings to pick up the victory, improving her record to 11-3 on the season. Senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis retired all eight batters she faced to register her fourth save of the 2025 season.

In the nightcap, Jenkins' grand slam in the fourth inning gave GGC a 4-0 lead. That was enough for Jarvis, who struck out seven batters in tossing the complete-game victory – her 15th triumph of the season.

The Grizzlies did not have a base runner through the first three innings. Things changed with one out in the top of the fourth frame as junior Sara Roussel reached on a fielding error. Sisk followed with a single before a fielder's choice by Talcott loaded the bases for Jenkins' homer.

HIU cut the margin in half by scoring two runs from a double with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jarvis got out of the jam to close out the victory.
 
Coach's Corner
"After an extremely unique and long day of travel (Monday), the energy and excitement the team produced for these two wins was fantastic. Savannah had a break-out day at the plate and really played her heart out. The pitching staff battled and kept us in both games. Overall, the team did a lot of things really well in these games," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
One swing of the bat changed the momentum of Tuesday's second contest. Junior Savannah Jenkins connected on a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning to give the No. 8-ranked Grizzlies a 4-0 advantage. That came after the team had not registered a base runner through the first three innings. Jenkins' third homer of the season helped GGC sweep the doubleheader on the road against a top-20 opponent.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Savannah Jenkins opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single to left field
 
Top of Third
Makenna Talcott scored from first base following a base hit to the wall by Savannah Jenkins, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
 
Top of Fifth
A fielding error by the Royals allowed Sophie Sisk to score as GGC regained the lead, at 3-2
 
Top of Sixth
Another defensive error by Hope International allowed the visitors to plate an insurance run
 
Second Game
Top of Fourth
Savannah Jenkins connected on a grand slam homer to give the visitors a 4-0 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies registered 14 hits across Tuesday's doubleheader sweep, with 10 coming in the day's opener
• Junior Savannah Jenkins went 3-for-6, with five RBI, across both games
• Senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis struck out seven batters in the complete-game victory in the second game
• Junior Sara Roussel recorded five putouts from her second base position in the second contest

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 31-8 on the season; Hope International drops to 29-9 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Hope International stood No. 18 in the same poll
• Tuesday's sweep gives GGC a 3-1 lead in the series with all the games being played in California
• GGC has surpassed the 30-win plateau for the 11th time in the program's 13 seasons

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College continues its California road trip against CAC opponent Westcliff University on Wednesday, April 9, in Irvine, California, starting at 7 p.m.