The recipe for the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team's success this season – timely hitting and strong pitching – led the Grizzlies to the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference championship with a 5-0 victory against Westcliff University (California) on Saturday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The top-seeded Grizzlies (43-8, ranked No. 6 nationally) won three straight games to capture the championship, their eighth straight conference title and ninth overall. They outscored the opposition 14-2 in the process and twice defeated Westcliff (23-23), by a combined 12-2 score.

GGC broke open a pitcher's duel in the bottom of the fourth inning of Saturday's game and then added four runs with two outs in the fifth frame to pull away for the victory.

Senior Makenna Talcott drew a bases-loaded walk, after being behind 0-2 in the count against Westcliff pitcher Madison Mendez, to give the tournament hosts a 1-0 lead.

An inning later, GGC took advantage of a fielding error and timely hitting with two outs to take a 5-0 lead. Junior Savannah Jenkins lined an RBI single to right-center field that brought home sophomore Morgan McQuagge. Talcott provided more insurance with a two-run single to left field. Then, senior Jane Hoover added a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield to cap the rally.

"We believe in ourselves and the coaches. I feel like we deserved to win this title," said Jenkins, who was named the CAC 2025 Softball Championship Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. She went 4-for-7 (.557) with two runs scored in the three-day tournament.

Senior pitcher Annalise Jarvis struck out nine batters and scattered three hits in tossing the shutout. The right hander was a CAC all-tournament team selection after picking up two victories, improving her record to 22-2 on the season.

Talcott led the Grizzlies' offensive attack, going 2-for-2 and driving in three runs. McQuagge scored twice in Saturday's triumph.

Senior Kailynn James and freshman Casey Beaver joined Jenkins and Jarvis on the all-tournament team.


 
Coach's Corner
"This team has been built to handle the pressure of tight games with the way we practice and train. They want to win for each other and together this team is special. It was nice to score in the middle innings when the opponent starts to press and we become unleashed," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
GGC scored four runs with two outs after Westcliff committed a fielding error in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a decisive 5-0 advantage. Junior Savannah Jenkins lined an RBI single to right-center field to start the rally. Senior Makenna Talcott added two insurance runs with a single before senior Jane Hoover hit a run-scoring single.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of Fourth
Makenna Talcott drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
Savannah Jenkins lined a run-scoring single to right-center field with two outs
Makenna Talcott followed with a two-run single to left field, extending the advantage to 4-0
Jane Hoover capped the four-run frame with an RBI single through the right side of the infield
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outhit Westcliff by a 6-3 margin
• Senior Makenna Talcott went 2-for-2 with three RBI on Saturday
• Sophomore Morgan McQuagge scored twice in the triumph
• GGC scored 14 runs across its three games in the tournament

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 43-8 this spring; Westcliff ended its season with a 23-23 record
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll
• The team was the top seed in the four-team tournament field; Westcliff stood as the No. 4 seed
• Georgia Gwinnett College won its ninth conference tournament title and eighth consecutive championship

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the Lawrenceville Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round with play beginning on Monday, May 12, at the Grizzly Softball Complex. Details about that tournament will be announced by the NAIA national office on Wednesday, May 7.