Timely hitting and dominant pitching have advanced the No. 2-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to the semifinal round of the NAIA World Series for the first time since 2019 with a 2-0 victory against No. 8 seed Grand View University (Iowa) on Monday afternoon in Columbus, Georgia.

The Grizzlies (48-9) broke a scoreless pitcher's duel between the two teams by scoring both of their runs during the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior pinch hitter Enna Lackey led off the frame with a single to center field – the team's second hit of the game. Freshman leadoff hitter Casey Beaver followed with a line drive single up the middle and a fielding error on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Morgan McQuagge loaded the bases with no outs.

Sophomore Sophie Sisk then delivered a clutch two-run single through the left side of the infield that allowed Lackey and Beaver to score, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage.

Senior relief pitcher Annalise Jarvis recorded a pair of strikeouts while retiring three Grand View hitters in succession in the top of the seventh inning to seal GGC's second straight victory at this year's World Series. The right hander had four strikeouts across three scoreless innings to pick up her 25th victory of the season.

Meanwhile, senior Kailynn James was also strong in the pitching circle for the Grizzlies, adding five strikeouts across four scoreless innings in the starting assignment. The James-Jarvis duo limited Grand View (42-16) to just four hits in tossing the shutout.

Sisk led the Grizzlies by going 1-for-3 with the two RBI and senior Angelica Gallegos, Beaver and Lackey each tallied a hit in the victory.

Georgia Gwinnett College advances to face No. 3 seed Southern Oregon University in a semifinal game on Tuesday, May 27, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
 
Coach's Corner
"Kailynn (James) and Annalise (Jarvis) executed the game plan. We are a team about speed and execution on offense. We felt good about the matchup in bringing Enna (Lackey), a left-handed hitter, into the game. This team is excited about having the opportunity to play four more games together," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies used their speed and small-ball strategies to manufacture the decisive two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, breaking open a scoreless deadlock. Junior pinch hitter Enna Lackey led off the frame with a single to center field. Freshman leadoff hitter Casey Beaver followed with a hard single up the middle against a drawn-in defensive infield. A fielding error on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Morgan McQuagge loaded the bases. That set the table for sophomore Sophie Sisk to deliver a two-run single through the left side of the infield to give GGC the winning edge.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of Sixth
Enna Lackey led off the frame with a single to center field
Casey Beaver followed with a single up the middle
Morgan McQuagge reached following a fielding error by Grand View's first baseman to load the bases
Sophie Sisk delivered a two-run single, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• Both teams collected four hits in the contest
• In a pinch-hitting role, junior Enna Lackey went 1-for-1 and scored the eventual game-winning run
• Senior pitchers Kailynn James and Annalise Jarvis combined to strike out nine batters and allow only four hits in the triumph
• GGC hitters drew two walks on Monday

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 47-9 in 2025; Grand View concludes the 2025 season with a 42-16 record
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; Grand View stood No. 23 in the same poll
• GGC was the No. 2 seed in the 2025 NAIA World Series bracket; Central Methodist stood as the No. 8 seed
• Monday's meeting marked the first game played between the two colleges

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 3 seed Southern Oregon University in the semifinal round of the NAIA World Series on Tuesday, May 27, in Columbus, Georgia, starting at 1:30 p.m. A victory would advance the team into the loser's bracket final at 4 p.m.