The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team has punched its ticket to the NAIA World Series for the fifth time in program history and third consecutive season, defeating St. Thomas University (Florida) 6-1 to claim the NAIA Opening Round's Lawrenceville Bracket on Wednesday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Following a pitching change with the bases loaded, sophomore Sophie Sisk hit a bases-clearing double to left-center field off reliever Anna Toon as part of a decisive four-run fourth inning. The extra-base hit gave the tournament hosts and top seed a 6-1 advantage.

"I love the pressure situations. When I came up with the bases loaded and two outs I knew that I was going to be completely fine. I stepped into the box just looking to hit anything that came my way," said Sisk.

Earlier in the fourth frame, sophomore Morgan McQuagge drew a bases-loaded walk to give GGC a 3-1 advantage.

The Grizzlies (46-8; winners of 19 consecutive games) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame behind a throwing error after an infield single by McQuagge. Freshman Casey Beaver scored from first base as the throw sailed down the right field line into foul territory. Sisk then doubled the lead, at 2-0, with an RBI ground out to second base that scored McQuagge, who had scampered all the way to third base from the Bobcats' error.

St. Thomas (46-8), the tournament's No. 2 seed, got on the scoreboard behind a solo home run by Isabella Andujar in the top of the second inning.

Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg turned to senior Kailynn James out of the GGC bullpen, starting in the top of the third inning with the team preserving a one-run lead. Wednesday marked the first time this season that senior and three-time NAIA All-American Annalise Jarvis did not finish a starting assignment (22 complete games).

That call to the bullpen worked for Ihlenburg and the Grizzlies as the right hander scattered five hits across five scoreless innings to pick up the victory. James picked up her 17th victory of the season and lowered her ERA to a dazzling 0.82.

"Softball is a game of timing and inches. KJ (Kailynn) throws a different style than Annalise and I think we needed to disrupt their (offensive) timing," said Ihlenburg about the strategic move.

Senior Jane Hoover went 3-for-3 at the plate as GGC registered seven hits in the triumph. McQuagge tallied two hits and scored twice, while Beaver also scored two runs in the contest.

Georgia Gwinnett College has advanced to the NAIA World Series in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2019, and 2018.

"We never want to stop playing as a team. We get another week of softball and being together as the family that this team has created," said Sisk.


 
Coach's Corner
"The magic within this group is special. They love each other as sisters and family. We just didn't want it to end here this week. We were dialed in for each other. Sophie has come through for us in a lot of situations this season. It isn't surprising that she got that hit in that moment," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
After St. Thomas went to its bullpen with two outs and trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, sophomore Sophie Sisk lined a double to left-center field that scored three runs as GGC pulled away from the Bobcats. Senior relief pitcher Kailynn James tossed five scoreless frames after entering the game in the top of the third inning.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
A throwing error after Morgan McQuagge's infield single allowed Casey Beaver to score from first base for the first run of the contest
Sophie Sisk hit an RBI ground out to second base, giving the Grizzlies a quick 2-0 lead
 
Top of Second
Isabella Andujar connected on a solo home run
 
Bottom of Fourth
Morgan McQuagge drew a bases-loaded walk
With the bases still loaded, Sophie Sisk's double to left-center field extended the lead to 6-1
 
Inside The Numbers

• St. Thomas outhit GGC by a 9-7 margin
• Sophomore Morgan McQuagge went 2-for-2 and scored twice in the victory
• Senior pitcher Kailynn James tossed five scoreless innings in relief to pick up her 17th victory of the season
• Senior Jane Hoover tallied three hits and recorded the final putout of the Opening Round

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 46-8 in 2025; St. Thomas concluded the 2025 season with a 46-8 record
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; St. Thomas stood No. 17 in the same poll
• The team was the top seed in the five-team Lawrenceville Bracket; St. Thomas was the No. 2 seed
• Georgia Gwinnett College advances to the NAIA World Series for the fifth time in program history and third consecutive season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College has advanced to the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia with play scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 21. Tournament details will be announced by the NAIA national office later.