Deep Unit to Roam the Softball Outfield This Spring

Georgia Gwinnett College Softball Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg has the option of writing any of seven quality outfielders into the lineup for the No. 4-ranked Grizzlies this upcoming spring season.

The problem is only three of those players can roam the outfield for any game.

It’s an abundance of riches that Ihlenburg is blessed to have when GGC opens the 2026 season with a home doubleheader against Montreat College (North Carolina) on Tuesday, February 10. 

GGCAthletics.com continues its softball preseason position preview series by highlighting the outfield unit, which has two returning all-conference players, including last season’s Continental Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.

Sophomore Casey Beaver made an immediate impact as a center fielder and the team’s leadoff hitter. She earned 2025 CAC Freshman of the Year honors after leading GGC with a .373 batting average and stealing 34 bases, while being second on the team with 41 runs scored.

“Casey came in determined last year to play a position in our outfield and she’s more determined than ever to stay there,” said Ihlenburg, who enters her 14th season guiding the Grizzlies.

While Beaver helped set the table at the top of the Grizzlies’ batting order, junior Sophie Sisk drove in the runs from the middle of the lineup. She ranked second on the team with 38 RBI and recorded 15 extra-base hits. Sisk provided a clutch bases-clearing double against St. Thomas University (Florida) in last year’s NAIA Opening Round, sending GGC to the NAIA World Series for the third consecutive season.

Meanwhile, senior Enna Lackey brings experience and athleticism to the outfield group after being named the region’s 2023 Freshman of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. She started 15 of her 30 games last year and batted .429, with 17 runs scored.

Junior Kaitlyn Crumley saw her playing time increase significantly last season, with a .357 batting average in 19 appearances. Sophomore Taylor Cohron adds depth after appearing in seven games in 2025, posting a .375 batting average.

Freshmen Molly Kemp and Lauren Rockhold are newcomers that will compete for playing time in 2026. Kemp was an all-state player at Tattnall Square Academy (Georgia) and Rockhold earned all-region honors and was a multiple all-state player at Eagles Landing Christian Academy (Georgia).

GGC is coming off a 48-10 campaign that featured advancing to the semifinal round of the 2025 NAIA World Series.