The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team completed a perfect west coast road trip by sweeping fellow Continental Athletic Conference opponent Westcliff University without allowing a run, winning by 1-0 and 10-0 scores on Wednesday evening in Irvine, California.

Senior pitcher Kailynn James became the third player in program history to toss a perfect game when she retired all 15 batters in the five-inning nightcap.

GGC (33-8) manufactured the lone run in the opener on a bases-loaded infield single by freshman Casey Beaver with two outs in the top of the seventh inning.

Senior Jane Hoover and junior Summer Hickson tallied consecutive singles with one out in the final frame. Senior Haley Robinson then was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a fielder's choice, Beaver's infield single to third base brought home Hickson with the winning run.

Senior relief pitcher Annalise Jarvis struck out three batters in 2.2 scoreless innings. She retired all three batters in the bottom half of the seventh inning to secure her 16th victory.

Freshman Isabelle Teems scattered three hits across 4.1 scoreless innings in the starting assignment.

In the second contest, the Grizzlies scored multiple runs in four of their five offensive innings. Hoover gave the visitors a quick 2-0 advantage with a run-scoring single in the top of the first inning.

A few innings later, Hoover and Hickson tallied consecutive RBI singles to stretch the lead to 4-0. Junior Savannah Jenkins brought home a pair of runs with a single up the middle as part of a three-run fourth inning.

Beaver started a three-run fifth inning by collecting a run-scoring single. She later scored on a fielder's choice by sophomore Kaitlyn Crumley. Beaver scored three runs in the triumph and had multiple hits in both games.

Jenkins drove in three runs and went 2-for-3 at the plate as GGC recorded 12 hits in the contest.

The Grizzlies outscored the opposition by a 19-4 margin in four games during the California road trip.
 
Coach's Corner
"You can't script a more perfect trip. We had a lot of opportunities in the first game, but sealed the deal with our speed. We were being energetic and not pressing. The offensive momentum carried over into game two where we found more holes to score than we did in the opener. Kailynn has really been focused over the last few weeks. We've got a two person pitching duo that has been playing really well for us," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
Wednesday's opening game was a pitcher's duel until the top of the seventh inning. Back-to-back singles from senior Jane Hoover and junior Summer Hickson were followed by senior Haley Robinson getting hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. After a fielder's choice play, freshman Casey Beaver delivered an infield RBI single to score the eventual game-winning run.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of Seventh
Casey Beaver hit an infield RBI single to plate the lone run of the contest
 
Second Game
Top of First
Savannah Jenkins hit a fielder's choice to open the scoring
Jane Hoover followed with an RBI single to center field, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
 
Top of Third
Jane Hoover brought home Sophie Sisk with a single through the right side of the infield
Summer Hickson collected a run-scoring single to cap a two-run inning
 
Top of Fourth
Savannah Jenkins hit a two-run single to give GGC a 7-0 advantage
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies tallied 20 hits in the doubleheader, with 12 hits coming in the second game
• Freshman Casey Beaver scored three runs in the nightcap
• Junior Savannah Jenkins went 6-for-12, with eight RBI, during the four-game California trip
• Senior pitcher Kailynn James struck out seven batters across five innings in tossing her first career perfect game during the second contest

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 33-8 in 2025; Westcliff falls to 13-21 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• Wednesday's doubleheader marked the first games between the two colleges
• Georgia Gwinnett College and Westcliff are members of the Continental Athletic Conference

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Oakwood University (Alabama) on Tuesday, April 15, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 2 p.m.