The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team tallied 11 hits across both games in splitting Tuesday afternoon's doubleheader against Bryan College (Tennessee) by 5-4 and 8-0 scores at the Grizzly Softball Complex. The games concluded an eight-game home stand to open the spring season.

The Grizzlies (5-3) found their offensive rhythm in the second contest, putting runs on the scoreboard in all five innings. Two runs came home in the opening frame behind consecutive hits by seniors Savannah Jenkins and Sara Roussel. Jenkins, the Continental Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week, had a double before Roussel's run-scoring single gave the hosts a quick 2-0 lead.

Then, freshman Lauren Rockhold collected an RBI single as part of a three-run second inning. Classmate Chloe Rockhold added a sacrifice fly in the third inning that stretched the team's advantage to 6-0.

Freshman Brooke Rockhold tallied an RBI fielder's choice one inning later before fellow freshman Sadie McGuinn hit a run-scoring single down the left field line in the fifth inning.

Freshman Addie Self tossed a two-hit shutout in the finale to record her first collegiate victory.

In the opener, GGC once again scored early, with a pair of runs in the first inning behind consecutive RBI doubles by freshman Desiree Trudel and Jenkins.

Bryan (3-7) bounced back as Ava Saul hit a solo home run in the second inning. The Lions then took a 3-2 lead an inning later following one of GGC's four defensive errors in the contest.

Senior Summer Hickson tied the contest, at 3-3, with a two-out RBI single to right field in the bottom half of the third inning.

Once again, Bryan had an answer – helped by another defensive miscue – to build a 5-3 advantage in the top of the fourth inning.

The Grizzlies mounted a comeback by taking advantage of a Bryan fielding error in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jenkins scored from first base after Roussel lined a single to left field. The hosts had the potential game-tying run thrown out at third base following a sacrifice bunt from Trudel in the seventh inning.

Roussel led GGC's offensive attack by going 4-for-4 at the plate, including a 3-for-3 effort in the nightcap. Sophomore Casey Beaver recorded multiple hits in both games.

Turning Point
The Grizzlies responded from dropping the opening game by scoring a run across all five innings of the nightcap. Senior Sara Roussel led the offensive charge with a 3-for-3 performance. The top three hitters in GGC's lineup went a combined 6-for-9, with four runs scored and three RBI.
 
Coach's Corner
"We are seeing a lot of growth in a lot of areas and I'm excited for the things that this team is growing into, despite some hiccups. We continue to do certain things really well and that's a sign that this team is going to do something really special," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of First
Desiree Trudel hit a run-scoring double to right field to open the scoring
Savannah Jenkins followed with another RBI double, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
 
Top of Second
Ava Saul hit a solo home run to give Bryan a boost
 
Top of Third
Maddie Lee drove in a run with a double to left-center field as part of a two-run inning
 
Bottom of Third
Summer Hickson tied the game, at 3-3, with a single to right field to score Savannah Jenkins
 
Top of Fourth
A fielding error allowed for Bryan to take a 5-3 lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
A fielding error following a base hit from Sara Roussel allowed the Grizzlies to trim the deficit to 5-4
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Savannah Jenkins tallied an RBI double down the left field line that scored Lauren Rockhold
Sara Roussel followed with a run-scoring single to left field
 
Bottom of Second
Lauren Rockhold hit a single to left-center field, bringing home Casey Beaver
 
Bottom of Third
Chloe Rockhold collected a sacrifice fly as the Grizzlies took a 6-0 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Brooke Rockhold hit a fielder's choice that allowed Morgan McQuagge to score
 
Bottom of Fifth
Sadie McGuinn tallied an RBI single down the left field line to plate Molly Kemp for the team's eighth run of the contest
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC tallied 11 hits in both contests on Tuesday
• Senior Sara Roussel went 3-for-3, including a triple, in the nightcap
• Freshman Addie Self tossed a two-hit shutout to record her first collegiate pitching victory
• GGC turned its first double play of the 2026 season during the fourth inning of the second game

News & Notes

• GGC is 5-3 this spring; Bryan stands 3-7 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 4 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College now leads the all-time history with Bryan by a 24-4 margin, following Tuesday's split
• The two teams are scheduled to meet in Dayton, Tennessee, for a doubleheader on March 24

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Keiser University for a doubleheader on Thursday, February 19, in West Palm Beach, Florida, starting at 2 p.m.