The No. 21-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team stranded nine base runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the sixth inning, while losing 4-3 to No. 12 St. Thomas University (Florida) in Saturday afternoon's rain-delayed Senior Day game at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies (11-12) took a 3-2 lead after a fielder's choice from junior right fielder Kaitlyn Crumley in the bottom of the third inning. GGC pushed across a single run in each of the first three innings.

Senior second baseman Sara Roussel hit an RBI double down the left field line in the opening frame.

Sophomore center fielder Casey Beaver hit a fielder's choice to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second inning.

St. Thomas (15-4) regained the lead, at 4-3, on a two-out, two-run double by Christina Ortiz in the top of the fourth inning. Ortiz picked up the victory in relief, allowing one hit and striking out two batters across 2.2 innings.

GGC loaded the bases in the sixth inning with one out. However, Ortiz got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat. An inning later, the Grizzlies once again put the potential game-winning run on base, this time with no outs. Ortiz was up to the challenge, getting out the jam by recording a strikeout and a lineout to shortstop that was turned into a game-ending double play.

Senior left fielder Enna Lackey registered two of GGC's five hits in the contest, which featured a delay for more than two hours in the fifth inning by inclement weather conditions.

Prior to the contest, the program honored senior student-athletes Kailyn Berry, Summer Hickson, Savannah Jenkins, Lackey, and Roussel for their contributions to the program over the last five seasons. The group helped the Grizzlies capture four conference titles and advance to the NAIA World Series three times, including a semifinal round finish last season.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. St. Thomas reliever Christina Ortiz got a strikeout and a ground out to keep the Bobcats ahead by a single run, at 4-3. An inning later, GGC had runners at first and second base with no outs. However, Ortiz was able to get out of the jam by getting a strikeout and a line drive that led to a game-ending double play. GGC left nine base runners in the contest.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Sara Roussel hit an RBI double down the left field line to tie the game at 1-1
 
Bottom of Second
Casey Beaver reached on a fielder's choice to second base, once again tying the contest at 2-2
 
Bottom of Third
Kaitlyn Crumley hit a fielder's choice to second base that brought home Molly Kemp and gave the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead
 
Top of Fourth
Christina Ortiz hit a two-run double to center field, with two outs, as the Bobcats regained the lead at 4-3
 
Inside The Numbers

• St. Thomas outhit GGC by a 9-5 margin
• GGC successfully stole five bases
• The Grizzlies stranded nine base runners in Saturday's contest
• Senior Enna Lackey went 2-for-3 at the plate from the No. 9 spot in the team's batting order

News & Notes

• GGC drops to 11-12 this spring; St. Thomas improves to 15-4 in 2026
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 21 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; St. Thomas stood No. 12 in the same poll
• St. Thomas has a 4-3 lead in the series history, including posting three wins this season
• The program honored seniors Kailyn Berry, Summer Hickson, Savannah Jenkins, Enna Lackey, and Sara Roussel during pregame Senior Day festivities

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the weekend series against No. 12 St. Thomas University (Florida) with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 8, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at 10 a.m.