Junior third baseman Morgan McQuagge lined a walk-off RBI single to right field as the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team scored runs in the last four innings to rally past Thomas University (Georgia) by a 6-5 score in Friday's series opener at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

The Grizzlies (25-21) rallied from a 5-0 deficit by scoring two runs in the fourth inning and then tying the game by adding three more runs during the bottom of the sixth inning.

Junior left fielder Kaitlyn Crumley delivered the clutch game-tying double to left field in the sixth frame. Senior second baseman Sara Roussel opened the frame with a walk. Sophomore center fielder Casey Beaver followed with a single up the middle before senior first baseman Savannah Jenkins drew a walk to load the bases. That set up Crumley's bases-clearing double to the left-field wall in the bottom of the seventh that tied the game at 5-5.

Freshman catcher Brooke Rockhold began the bottom of the seventh inning with a double to left-center field. A sacrifice bunt from freshman shortstop Reesie Burch advanced freshman pinch runner Molly Kemp to third base with one out. McQuagge then lined a 2-1 pitch over Thomas' right fielder to complete the comeback.

Earlier, Crumley helped begin the team's rally with an RBI ground out in the bottom of the fourth inning. A wild pitch allowed Jenkins to score and trimmed the deficit to 5-2.

Crumley drove in four of the team's six runs and went 1-for-3 at the plate. Jenkins tallied two of GGC's eight hits and scored twice in the triumph.

Meanwhile, senior pitcher Kailyn Berry also came up big in the late innings against Thomas (17-29). She stepped into the circle in relief during the third inning and proceeded to toss five scoreless frames, including the top of the seventh that maintained the tie game before the Grizzlies' dramatic walk-off victory. Berry earned her 12th victory of the season.

Thomas pushed across two runs on a double from Alexis Adams in the top of the first inning. Cameron Clontz added a two-run double during the third inning. Baileigh Herrera hit an RBI ground out to give the visitors a 5-0 lead.


 
Coach's Corner
"We know that we have to battle offensively by putting the ball in play and using all elements of our team to score runs. It shows this team's growth by rallying for the victory from an early deficit," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of sixth inning. Walks to senior second baseman Sara Roussel and senior first baseman Savannah Jenkins were sandwiched around a single from sophomore center fielder Casey Beaver. Junior Kaitlyn Crumley proceeded to line a double that bounced all the way to the left field wall, clearing the bases and tying the contest at 5-5. The team then scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
Key Plays
Top of First
Alexis Adams lined a two-run double to right-center field
 
Top of Third
Cameron Clontz hit a double that brought home a pair of runs
Baileigh Herrera added an RBI ground out, extending Thomas' lead to 5-0
 
Bottom of Fourth
Kaitlyn Crumley hit an RBI ground out to second base that put the Grizzlies on the scoreboard
Savannah Jenkins scored following a wild pitch
 
Bottom of Sixth
Kaitlyn Crumley cleared the bases with a double to left field, tying the game at 5-5
 
Bottom of Seventh
Morgan McQuagge hit a walk-off RBI single to right field
 
Inside The Numbers

• Thomas outhit the Grizzlies by an 11-8 margin
• Junior left fielder Kaitlyn Crumley drove in four of the team's six runs
• Senior first baseman Savannah Jenkins scored twice and collected two hits
• Senior pitcher Kailyn Berry came in relief to record her 12th win of the season

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 25-21 in 2026; Thomas drops to 17-29 this spring
• The Grizzlies received votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won the last six meetings in the series to take a 16-10 lead all-time against Thomas
• The Grizzlies recorded their second walk-off victory of the season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the regular season with a doubleheader against Thomas University (Georgia) during Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 25, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at noon.