Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

Something about the Opening Round of the NAIA tournament brings out the best in the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team.

The Grizzlies won their 10th straight Opening Round game, digging deep for clutch hits, pitches and defensive plays in a 3-2 victory over the College of Coastal Georgia in Monday's opening day of the Hattiesburg (Mississippi) Bracket, being hosted by William Carey University.

The GGC (30-22), the tournament's No. 3 seed, now advances into the winner's bracket to face No. 4 seed Marian University (Indiana) on Tuesday, May 12, starting at 3 p.m. central time.
Clutch hitting allowed the team to come back from an early 2-1 deficit.

First, a two-out single to right field by senior center fielder Enna Lackey scored junior right fielder Sophie Sisk with the tying run in the top of the fifth inning.

Then, in the next inning, a sacrifice fly to right field by junior third baseman Morgan McQuagge gave just enough room for freshman pinch runner Molly Kemp to score from third base for the Grizzlies' 3-2 lead.

That slim margin was put to the test in the bottom of the seventh inning as the No. 2-seeded Mariners put baserunners on second and first bases with no outs. However, GGC senior right-handed pitcher Kailyn Berry and her strong defensive-minded teammates came through to get three straight outs.

McQuagge started the action by fielding a sacrifice bunt to third base and threw to first base for the first out of the inning. In the process, Coastal Georgia's baserunners moved up to third and second bases. Then, Berry got pinch hitter Ella Romano to pop up to freshman shortstop Reesie Burch for the second out, with no baserunners advancing. And, finally, McQuagge securely handled a hard hit grounder to third and threw to first base for the final out of the game.

"The energy was what people know of Grizzly softball," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.

The GGC victory avenged a 3-2 road loss to No. 18-ranked Coastal Georgia on April 17 when the Mariners came back to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Berry only allowed two runs in the second inning and scattered five hits while striking out six opposing hitters in winning her 16th victory of the season.

Her battery mate, freshman catcher Brooke Rockhold had two of the Grizzlies' six hits in the game. Two of the team's other hits were extra-base efforts by senior designated player Summer Hickson, with a triple that opened the way for the winning run in the sixth inning, and a double from McQuagge that set up the team's first run in the top of the first frame.
 
Coach's Corner
"It was amazing to see our seniors come through with hits from Summer (Hickson) and Enna (Lackey) being very productive in our lineup today. Kailyn pitched a great game. It was great to see her get the first Opening Round win," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies scored runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings to come back for the Opening Round victory. The winning run in the sixth frame came on a sacrifice fly to right field by junior third baseman Morgan McQuagge that brought home freshman pinch runner Molly Kemp from third base. That key run was set up by senior designated hitter Summer Hickson's lead-off triple.
 
Key Plays
Top of First
Sara Roussel's sacrifice flyout to left field brought home Morgan McQuagge with the game's first run
 
Bottom of Second
A two-out double by McKenzie Collins scored two runs to give the Mariners a one-run lead, at 2-1
 
Top of Fifth
Enna Lackey singled to right field, bringing home Sophie Sisk with the tying run
 
Top of Sixth
Morgan McQuagge's sacrifice flyout to right field allowed pinch runner Molly Kemp to score from third base as the Grizzlies took a 3-2 lead; Kemp was running for Summer Hickson, who led off the inning with a triple to right field
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit Coastal Georgia by a 6-5 margin
• Catcher Brooke Rockhold was the only Grizzly to have multiple hits, going 2-for-3
• Pitcher Kailyn Berry (16-5) allowed five hits and had six strikeouts across seven innings in the circle
• The Grizzlies won their 10th straight Opening Round game in the NAIA tournament; they haven't lost an Opening Round game since the 2022 season

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 30-22 this spring; Coastal Georgia drops to 37-13 in 2026
• The Grizzlies received votes in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; Coastal Georgia stood No. 18 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett is the No. 3 seed in the Hattiesburg Bracket; Coastal Georgia is the No. 2 seed
• Senior right-handed pitcher Kailyn Berry won her 40th game of her career

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 4 seed Marian University (Indiana) in a winner's bracket contest of the Hattiesburg Bracket on Tuesday, May 12, at 3 p.m. central time.