Four runs across the first two innings led the top-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to a 7-2 victory against No. 4 seed Westcliff University (California) in Thursday afternoon's opening day of the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference Softball Championship Tournament at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies (41-8 and ranked No. 6 nationally) advance to play No. 3 seed Florida National University in a winner's bracket game on Friday, May 2, starting at noon. The Conquistadors rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat No. 2 seed Simpson University (California) 10-5 in the other first-round contest.

Senior Makenna Talcott gave GGC a 1-0 lead in the opening frame with a two-out run-scoring single through the right side of the infield. The base hit brought home sophomore Sophie Sisk.

The lead increased to 4-0 an inning later as freshman Casey Beaver delivered a two-run triple and then scored on an RBI ground out by sophomore Morgan McQuagge.

GGC's offensive output continued with senior pinch hitter Kayla Good lining a run-scoring single during a two-run fifth inning. Classmate Angelica Gallegos added a triple to right-center field to increase the advantage to 6-0.

Junior Summer Hickson connected on a pinch hit solo home run during the sixth inning.

That was enough runs to support senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis, who had nine strikeouts. The 2025 CAC Player and Pitcher of the Year improved her record to 21-2 on the season.

Gallegos went 3-for-3 for the day, including a double and a triple in the victory, while Beaver and Talcott each tallied two hits – part of the team's 12 hits in the tournament opener.
 
Coach's Corner
"We were locked in toward hitting pitches that we could do things with. It was exciting to see seniors step up and get hits, but I also celebrate our young players getting hits as well. Kayla and Summer really had good pinch hits. Our defense did exactly what they needed to do and when you have a pitcher like Annalise in the circle, it just makes you feel good," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The top-seeded Grizzlies started fast against the upset-minded Warriors, the No. 4 seed, by jumping out to a 4-0 advantage in Thursday's tournament opener. Senior Makenna Talcott began the early offensive surge with a two-out RBI single in the first inning. Freshman Casey Beaver lined a two-run triple before scoring on an RBI ground out from sophomore Morgan McQuagge during the second inning.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Makenna Talcott hit a two-out RBI single through the right side of the infield to open the scoring
 
Bottom of Second
Casey Beaver lined a triple that scored a pair of runs
Morgan McQuagge followed with an RBI ground out to shortstop, extending the Grizzlies' lead to 4-0
 
Bottom of Fifth
Kayla Good lined a run-scoring single to start a two-run frame
Angelica Gallegos tallied a triple, scoring Kayla Good for the team's sixth run of the contest
 
Bottom of Sixth
Summer Hickson connected on a pinch hit solo home run
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outhit Westcliff by a 12-5 margin
• Senior Angelica Gallegos went 3-for-3, including a double and a triple
• Freshman Casey Beaver recorded three putouts from her center field defensive position
• Senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis struck out nine batters in collecting her 21st victory of the season

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 41-8 on the season; Westcliff falls to 21-22 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll
• The team is the top seed in the four-team tournament field; Westcliff stood as the No. 4 seed
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won seven straight conference tournament titles

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 3 seed Florida National University in the winner's bracket of the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference Softball Championship Tournament on Friday, May 2, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at noon. Florida National defeated Simpson 10-5 in Thursday's other first-round contest.