The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team split a pair of 2-1 contests Friday afternoon to begin a three-game weekend series against No. 20-ranked University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

Freshman shortstop Reesie Burch hit a walk-off RBI single to left-center field that capped a two-run seventh inning as the Grizzlies (21-18) rallied to win the opener.

Cumberlands (21-13) then responded by scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings in the second game to salvage the doubleheader split.

Trailing 1-0 entering the final frame, the hosts began the first-game comeback as senior first baseman Savannah Jenkins was hit by a pitch and senior second baseman Sara Roussel followed with a single to right field. A sacrifice bunt from freshman designated player Molly Kemp put the potential tying and game-winning runs in scoring position.

Junior left fielder Kaitlyn Crumley perfectly executed a safety squeeze bunt by hitting the ball past the pitcher and a charging first baseman. The infield RBI single to second base brought home Jenkins to tie the contest, at 1-1.

Freshman shortstop Reesie Burch then brought home Roussel with a base hit into left-center field that capped the comeback.

The tables turned in the second game as GGC took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning as sophomore center fielder Casey Beaver hit a run-scoring single up the middle.

Cumberlands answered during the top of the sixth inning with Jenna Fabela lining an RBI single to center field that tied the contest, at 1-1.

One inning later, Ryann Livingston scored the winning run from third base following a passed ball.

GGC senior pitcher Kailyn Berry allowed two hits in tossing the complete-game victory in the opener. That gives her 10 wins for the season. Freshman pitcher Tatum Helsom matched her career high with seven strikeouts in the second game.


 
Coach's Corner
"It was nice to play games against a postseason-caliber team. Kaitlyn's (Crumley) job was to get the ball down and she executed by putting something on the ground to allow Savannah (Jenkins) to score (the tying run in the opener). Then, Reesie (Burch) has been coming through lately with runners on base and continued that today as we won the opener," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The seventh inning provided the elusive second run to score in each contest. In Friday's opener, GGC rallied from a 1-0 deficit as junior left fielder Kaitlyn Crumley hit an infield RBI single that tied the contest. Freshman shortstop Reesie Burch added a walk-off single to left-center field. During the second game, Cumberlands turned the tables as Ryann Livingston scored following a passed ball in the top of the seventh inning and gave the visitors the 2-1 lead that stood up for the victory.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of Seventh
Kaitlyn Crumley tied the game, at 1-1, with an infield RBI single
Reesie Burch hit a walk-off single to left-center field
 
Second Game
Bottom of Fifth
Casey Beaver tallied a run-scoring up the middle to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead
 
Top of Sixth
Jenna Fabela lined an RBI single to center field that tied the contest at 1-1
 
Top of Seventh
Ryann Livingston scored following a passed ball, giving the Patriots a 2-1 advantage
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies registered seven hits across Friday's doubleheader, with four hits coming in the opener
• Senior pitcher Kailyn Berry scattered two hits in the complete-game victory
• Freshman shortstop Reesie Burch went 2-for-3 in the first contest of the day
• Freshman pitcher Tatum Helsom matched her career high with seven strikeouts in the second game

News & Notes

• GGC now stands 21-18 in 2026; Cumberlands is 21-13 on the season
• The Grizzlies received votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Cumberlands stood No. 20 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College leads the series by a 9-8 margin
• GGC has played 21 of its 39 games against teams featured in the NAIA Top 25 poll

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the weekend series against No. 20 University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) with a single seven-inning contest on Saturday, April 4, at the Grizzly Softball Complex, starting at noon.