The No. 21-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team led early in each game only to see No. 25 Lindsey Wilson University rally to sweep Saturday's doubleheader by 9-8 and 4-3 scores in Columbia, Kentucky.

The Grizzlies (12-15) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opener as senior first baseman Savannah Jenkins hit a two-run double in the first inning. She then connected on a three-run home run to center field one inning later.

Sophomore center fielder Casey Beaver went 5-for-5 and scored twice from the leadoff spot in GGC's lineup.

Lindsey Wilson (18-2) began the comeback as Atavya Fowler hit a two-run double in the bottom half of the second inning. Nora Epley added a run-scoring single later in the frame.

Hannah Carter connected on a solo home run in the fourth inning as the Grizzlies led 7-4.

Marissa Frolich tied the contest, at 7-7, with a two-run single to left-center field in the fifth inning.

GGC regained the lead, at 8-7, as freshman catcher Brooke Rockhold hit an RBI single to left field in the top of the seventh inning. The base hit scored senior second baseman Sara Roussel.

However, the hosts forced extra innings when Carter delivered a run-scoring single to right field, with two outs, in the bottom half of the seventh inning.

One inning later, the Grizzlies stranded the bases loaded before Epley hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to center field to score the winning run.

In the nightcap, GGC scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning to take a 3-0 lead. Junior third baseman Morgan McQuagge hit a run-scoring single to left field. Then, Roussel hit an RBI ground out. Roussel had a run-scoring single to center field in the first inning.

The Blue Raiders began their second comeback by scoring two runs in the fifth inning. Epley played a center role with an RBI single that cut GGC's lead to 3-2.

Sam Hartman then hit a solo home run in the sixth inning before Fowler brought home the go-ahead run with a double to right field.

Jenkins drove in five runs and went 2-for-5 in Saturday's first game. McQuagge tallied three hits and scored twice during that game. She later added two hits in the nightcap.
 
Coach's Corner
"We did some really good things on offense and had some great defensive plays. Casey (Beaver) was on fire at the plate (5-for-5 in the opener) and Morgan (McQuagge) had some incredible stops on defense (at third base)," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies were unable to hold a lead late in both contests. In the opener, Lindsey Wilson forced extra innings with a two-out RBI single to right field, tying the game 8-8. Then, the Blue Raiders won the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Later, the hosts scored two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to rally from a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 victory to sweep the doubleheader.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Savannah Jenkins hit a two-run double to right field that opened the scoring
 
Top of Second
Morgan McQuagge lined an RBI single to right field
Savannah Jenkins connected on a three-run homer to center field, giving the Grizzlies a 6-0 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Hannah Carter hit a solo home run to left field that brought the Blue Raiders within three runs, at 7-4
 
Bottom of Fifth
Marissa Frolich tied the game, at 7-7, with a two-run single to left-center field
 
Top of Seventh
Brooke Rockhold hit a run-scoring single to left field, giving the Grizzlies an 8-7 lead
 
Bottom of Seventh
Hannah Carter hit a game-tying RBI single to right field with two outs
 
Bottom of Eighth
Nora Epley hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Blue Raiders a 9-8 victory
 
Second Game
Top of First
Sara Roussel lined a run-scoring single to center field
 
Top of Fifth
Morgan McQuagge hit an RBI single to left field, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
Sara Roussel added an RBI ground out
 
Bottom of Sixth
Sam Hartman hit a home run to center field that tied the game at 3-3
Atavya Fowler collected a run-scoring double to right field to plate the go-ahead run
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies tallied 24 hits across Saturday's doubleheader, with 15 hits coming in the opener
• Senior Savannah Jenkins drove in five runs and hit her second home run of the season in the first contest
• Sophomore Casey Beaver went 6-for-8 and scored four runs across the two games
• The team successfully stole three bases on Saturday

News & Notes

• GGC drops to 12-15 in 2026; Lindsey Wilson improves to 18-2 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 21 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; Lindsey Wilson stood No. 25 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College now has a 16-9 lead in the all-time series history against Lindsey Wilson, but is just 2-7 in Columbia, Kentucky
• The team has played nine straight games against teams featured in the NAIA Top 25 poll

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Brewton-Parker Christian University on Tuesday, March 17, in Mount Vernon, Georgia, starting at 4 p.m.