Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team had plenty of chances but came out on the losing end of a hard-fought 3-0 battle against Marian University (Indiana) in Wednesday's second-round action of the NAIA Opening Round's Hattiesburg (Mississippi) Bracket, being hosted by William Carey University.

The Grizzlies' leadoff hitter got on base in four of their seven offensive innings and the team collected hits across five innings. However, it couldn't manage to score while facing standout Marian right-handed pitcher Macy Coan.

GGC's biggest threat came in the bottom of the fourth inning when junior right fielder Sophie Sisk and senior second baseman Sara Roussel started the frame with back-to-back singles through the opposing defensive infield. They then advanced into scoring position (Sisk at third; Roussel at second) after senior first baseman Savannah Jenkins laid down a sacrifice bunt play that was played by the Knights' third baseman. However, Coan got the next two batters to hit ground outs and no runs were scored.

Overall, Georgia Gwinnett (30-23) left five runners on the basepaths in the game.

"We hit the ball well, but didn't get a timely hit," admitted Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.

The setback puts GGC, the No. 3 seed, into the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament. It is now preparing to face No. 1 seed William Carey on Wednesday, May 13, at noon central time. A victory in that game will provide a rematch against Marian, the No. 4 seed.

The Knights collected five of their six hits while scoring the game's decisive three runs across the second and third innings.

That's when GGC senior right-hander Kailyn Berry came in to stifle opposing hitters the rest of the way. She allowed only one hit and had three strikeouts in the 4.1-inning scoreless relief performance.

Collecting solo hits in the Grizzlies' six-hit offensive attack were seniors Enna Lackey, Summer Hickson, and Roussel; juniors Morgan McQuagge and Sophie Sisk; and freshman Reesie Burch.

Coan recorded her second straight shutout in the Opening Round and has now won three games across 25 innings in the circle during the tournament. She had 11 scoreless innings in the team's 1-0 victory against William Carey on Monday.
 
Coach's Corner
"The defense played well and kept us in the game while Kailyn (Berry) did a great job in relief," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies had their biggest threat during the bottom of the fourth inning. Junior right fielder Sophie Sisk and senior second baseman Sara Roussel started the frame with back-to-back singles through the defensive infield. They then advanced into scoring position (Sisk at third; Roussel at second) after senior first baseman Savannah Jenkins laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt play that was played by the Knights' third baseman. However, pitcher Macy Coan got the next two hitters to ground out, without any runs being scored.
 
Key Plays
Top of Second
Ally Malone hit an RBI double to score Lily Wendt for the first run of the game
 
Top of Third
A double down the left field line by Lily Wendt scored Mati Hughes and Abbey Hofmann for a 3-0 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• Both teams had six hits in the game
• GGC had hits across five of the seven innings and its leadoff hitter got on base in four frames
• Five of Marian's hits came while scoring its three runs across the second and third innings
• Senior pitcher Kailyn Berry came in and allowed only one hit and no runs across 4.1 innings of relief

News & Notes

• GGC drops to 30-23 on the season; Marian improves to 37-16 this spring
• The Grizzlies received votes in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; Marian was ranked No. 22 in the final regular-season NAIA Top 25 poll
• Georgia Gwinnett is the No. 3 seed in the Hattiesburg Bracket; Marian is the No. 4 seed
• Tuesday's encounter marked the third meeting between the two programs, with each team winning a contest played at the NAIA World Series (GGC in 2019 and Marian in 2023)

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play the winner of the loser's bracket game against No. 1 seed William Carey University on Wednesday, May 13, at noon central time.