The No. 4-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team opened the new season by collecting 19 hits to tally 20 runs in recording a pair of run-rule victories by 9-1 and 11-3 scores over Montreat College (North Carolina) in a doubleheader on Tuesday evening from the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies scored multiple runs on several occasions throughout both games.

Senior Savannah Jenkins paced GGC's offensive attack on Tuesday by going 4-for-4, with three run-scoring hits, and scoring twice. Sophomore Casey Beaver tallied five hits across the doubleheader sweep, including a 3-for-4 performance in the nightcap.

GGC (2-0) pushed three runs across in the bottom of the second inning of the first contest. Freshman Reesie Burch hit an RBI single through the left side of the infield to open the scoring. Junior Morgan McQuagge hit a sacrifice fly to center field before Beaver's single brought home another run.

Three more runs were put on the scoreboard in the fourth inning, building a commanding 7-1 advantage. Freshman Brooke Rockhold tallied a run-scoring infield single. Jenkins lined an RBI double to left-center field later in the frame.

The offensive production was plenty for senior starting pitcher Kailyn Berry, who was making her first appearance inside the pitching circle since the 2024 season. The right hander recorded four strikeouts in the complete-game victory. She allowed one unearned run and scattered three hits.

"It was very emotional watching Kailyn pitch tonight. She has really stepped into the role of being a veteran and competitor for us. That's all you ask for from a veteran player," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.

The Grizzlies maintained the offensive momentum into the second contest, plating three runs in the opening frame. Rockhold hit an RBI single to third base before Jenkins followed with a run-scoring single, giving the team an early 2-0 lead. Burch was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to cap the early offense.

GGC added a five-run third inning to put the contest out of reach. Senior Summer Hickson provided the big hit of the frame with a towering three-run home run past the right-center field fence, marking the team's first homer of the 2026 season. Hickson's blast gave the hosts a 10-1 advantage.

"This is what our program is all about. Summer is a four-year player and is willing to do whatever it takes and assume different roles to help the team. You can't get any more Grizzly Softball than her," said Ihlenburg.

Sophomore starting pitcher Isabelle Teems allowed five hits across 3.2 innings to pick up the victory. Freshman Tatum Helsom allowed one unearned run across 1.1 innings in relief during her collegiate debut.
 
Coach's Corner
"This team has stepped in and taken off where the 2025 team left off. They are not going to leave any doubt that they are going to be their own version of Grizzly Softball, and a greater version is to come this season," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies scored multiple runs twice in each contest to sweep Tuesday's season-opening doubleheader. GGC plated three runs in the second inning of the first contest behind a base hit from freshman Reesie Burch, a sacrifice fly from junior Morgan McQuagge, and an infield run-scoring single by sophomore Casey Beaver. During the nightcap, the hosts scored three runs in the opening frame.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of Second
Reesie Burch hit an RBI single through the left side of the infield to open the scoring
Casey Beaver added an infield run-scoring single to cap a three-run frame
 
Bottom of Third
Molly Kemp lined a triple to right field that brought home Summer Hickson, giving the Grizzlies a 4-1 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Brooke Rockhold tallied an RBI infield single
Savannah Jenkins hit a run-scoring double to left-center field, extending the lead to 7-1
 
Bottom of Fifth
Casey Beaver drove in a pair of runs with a single to right-center field
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Brooke Rockhold collected an infield RBI single that brought home Casey Beaver
Savannah Jenkins followed with a run-scoring single through the left side of the infield
Reesie Burch was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to plate GGC's third run of the frame
 
Bottom of Third
Sara Roussel opened a five-run inning with a two-run single to right-center field
Savannah Jenkins tallied an RBI single through the right side of the infield
Summer Hickson connected on a three-run home run to right-center field, giving GGC a 10-1 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC registered 19 hits across Tuesday's doubleheader sweep
• Senior Savannah Jenkins went 4-for-4, with three RBI, and scored two runs in the two victories
• Senior pitcher Kailyn Berry struck out four batters in tossing a complete game in the season opener, her first pitching performance since the 2024 season
• The team recorded nine stolen bases, with six steals coming in the opener

News & Notes

• GGC opened the 2026 season on Tuesday; Montreat drops to 3-3 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 4 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• GGC has won 23 of the 24 meetings in the series history against Montreat
• Georgia Gwinnett College opens the 2026 campaign with eight straight games at the Grizzly Softball Complex

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the Grizzly Open this weekend, with games against No. 24 University of Rio Grande (Ohio) and Huntington University (Indiana) on Friday, February 13, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 2:30 p.m.