The No. 2-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College softball team scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to secure a 5-1 triumph against No. 5 seed Central Methodist University (Missouri) in Saturday afternoon's elimination-round game at the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia.

The Grizzlies advance to play on Monday, May 26, at 4 p.m. against the No. 8 seed Grand View University (Iowa) after dropping an 8-0 contest to No. 4 seed Oklahoma City University on Saturday evening.

GGC (47-9) took advantage of six CMU defensive errors, including three during the pivotal fifth inning, while being limited to six hits.

The first miscue allowed freshman Casey Beaver to score from second base after the center fielder led off the frame with a double to left-center field. Sophomore Sophie Sisk lined an RBI single up the middle, scoring classmate Morgan McQuagge and giving the Grizzlies a 4-1 lead. An infield single from senior Makenna Talcott coupled with another error in the frame by the Eagles led to another GGC run.

The Grizzlies took a 2-1 lead in the third inning after a wild throw by the opposing catcher on a pickoff attempt of Beaver at third base. The team plated an unearned run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly from Sisk.

Central Methodist (42-11) tied the contest, at 1-1, following an RBI triple from Kaysie Jolley in the top of the third inning.

Sisk drove in a pair of runs, while junior Savannah Jenkins and Beaver each collected two hits in the postseason triumph. McQuagge scored twice for the Grizzlies on Saturday.

Senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis scattered seven hits and struck out six batters during the complete-game performance. The right hander improved her record to 24-2 on the season.
 
Coach's Corner
"We settled into our swings because we knew that they (Central Methodist) are an offensive team. It was massive to answer their game-tying run (from the top of the third inning). We just went back to work and had a lot of opportunities today. We were swinging loose today. It was awesome to go all-out and they did it together," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies had a quick response after Central Methodist tied the game, at 1-1, in the top of the third inning. Freshman Casey Beaver drew a wild throw from the catcher on a pickoff attempt while occupying third base. The error allowed Beaver to score the go-ahead run in the bottom half of the frame. GGC put the game out of reach with a three-run fifth inning, taking advantage of three of CMU's six errors in the contest.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Sophie Sisk hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Morgan McQuagge
 
Bottom of Third
Casey Beaver scored from third base following a throwing error by the Central Methodist catcher on a failed pickoff attempt, giving GGC a 2-1 lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
A fielding error by the Eagles allowed Casey Beaver to score, beginning a three-run frame
Sophie Sisk lined a run-scoring single up the middle
Another throwing error later in the frame following an infield single by Makenna Talcott, giving the Grizzlies a 5-1 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• Central Methodist outhit GGC by a 7-6 margin
• Freshman Casey Beaver tallied two hits and scored twice from the leadoff spot in GGC's batting order
• The Eagles' six errors led to three unearned runs
• Senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis struck out six batters in picking up her 24th victory of the season

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 46-9 this spring; Central Methodist concluded the 2025 season with a 42-11 record
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; Central Methodist stood No. 11 in the same poll
• GGC was the No. 2 seed in the 2025 NAIA World Series bracket; Central Methodist stood as the No. 5 seed
• Georgia Gwinnett College leads the series with the Eagles 2-1; both victories came at the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 8 seed Grand View University (Iowa) in another elimination-round game at the NAIA World Series on Monday, May 26, in Columbus, Georgia, starting at 4 p.m.